Interparliamentary Finance Committee Forum – 21 March 2024, Westminster

On Thursday 21 March, the Interparliamentary Finance Committee Forum (IFCF) met for the third time at Portcullis House, Westminster. Members from the Senedd’s Finance Committee and the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee were in attendance, with officials also present from the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Finance.

During the meeting the IFCF explored how HM Treasury interacts with the devolved governments in developing the UK Budget and related timetables.

Meetings were also held with the Chairs and Members of the Treasury Select Committee and the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, a former HM Treasury Minister, the Institute for Government, and Office for National Statistics.

The IFCF issued a joint statement and a letter to HM Treasury following the meeting.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, Chair of the Finance Committee said:

“Scotland and Wales face similar challenges over budget scrutiny and a lack of engagement with HM Treasury on fiscal matters affecting our respective nations.

Our meeting at Westminster was incredibly important in providing a platform for the forum to press for action on issues of common concern, and our letter to the Treasury demonstrates what can be achieved when working collectively.

The forum continues to provide a space for constructive dialogue between the devolved legislatures on matters of shared importance, and will meet again later this year to progress these issues further.”