Bills introduced in the Scottish Parliament are usually accompanied by a Financial Memorandum (FM). FMs should set out best estimates of the costs, savings, and changes to revenues arising from a Bill. An FM should show the margins of uncertainty for these estimates.
An FM will also outline the estimated financial implications of the Bill, and when they will arise, for:
The Finance and Public Administration Committee scrutinises FMs. The Committee asks people and organisations who may be financially affected by the legislation for their views.
This scrutiny happens at the same time as an examination of the detail of the Bill by a different committee, or different committees. The committee with the majority of responsibility for examining the detail of a Bill is usually referred to as the 'lead committee'.
After reading the responses, the Finance and Public Administration Committee will do at least one of the following:
From time to time, the Committee may not examine an FM if the time for scrutiny of a particular Bill at Stage 1 does not permit.
Here are the FMs for each Bill introduced during the current session of the Parliament, which began in May 2021. Each link contains information about the Committee's scrutiny of that FM.
The Committee is currently considering the following FMs:
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill
Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill
Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill
Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill
Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Bill
Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Bill
Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill
Disabled Children (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill
Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill
Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill
Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill
Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill
Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill
Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
National Care Service (Scotland) Bill
Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill
Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill
If you have any queries about the Committee’s consideration of FMs please contact us: FPA.committee@parliament.scot.