In a major speech at the London School of Economics ahead of the Chancellor’s final budget of this UK parliament, the First Minister said a better process – where parties had time to scrutinise the budget before it is passed and negotiate improvements - would see politicians focus on the long-term impact of their decisions and be more honest about the results of spending choices.
The First Minister pointed to the process in Scotland, highlighting the increased scrutiny of the budget bill and the consultation required to set out the budget for the year ahead.
