Review of the Scottish Fiscal Commission by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

That the Parliament notes what it considers the very positive review of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which was published on 24 October 2019; further notes the OECD’s comments that the SFC’s independence is "underpinned by strong enabling legislation" and by the "culture of independence instilled by its first chair" and that "the SFC is relatively well resourced in comparison to European peers"; appreciates the OECD’s nine recommendations, including giving the SFC "a statutory right to access data held by UK Government departments and public bodies", ensuring that the SFC "has sufficient time to deliver good quality and accurate forecasts", and that the SFC and the Parliament should strengthen engagement with committees and MSPs, and considers that a strong Independent Fiscal Institution (IFI) benefits public finances for the whole of Scotland, including in the Glasgow Shettleston constituency.