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Framework for Economic Development in Scotland
Part 3 Implementing FEDS and ensuring its Effectiveness
Implementation of the Framework
The implementation of FEDS since 2000 has proceeded on a broad front, reflecting the contribution to economic development of most policy areas within the Executive. The achievement of economic growth is, however, a long-term endeavour and the devolved Scottish government has refrained from falling into the trap of tinkering with its strategies in the face of short-term pressures and cyclical economic events. While the global upheavals of recent years might, in principle, have prompted a rethink of the strategic approach, FEDS and its related strategies have, in practice, remained robust. This refresh of FEDS represents a revitalisation of the approach, maintaining and developing further the existing elements of policy and strengthening the areas of new emphasis.
FEDS does not, in itself, set out the detailed policy for the Executive to pursue in stimulating and supporting economic growth across the full range of its portfolios. However, as with the establishment of the first framework in 2000, the refreshed FEDS will now be reflected in the detailed identification and development of future policy throughout the Executive and its various agencies and bodies. Maintaining a consistent, vigorous and innovative approach to the application and implementation of the Framework will continue to be important. Success does not depend only on the Executive and the wider public sector. The most important players in the pursuit of a vision for Scotland with economic growth at its heart are private individuals and private enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Effectiveness
The devolved Scottish government has an important contribution to make in the areas identified within FEDS. This next phase of implementing FEDS will give considerable priority to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the detailed policies and programmes.
One important example in this regard is Scottish Ministers' approach to the 2004 Spending Review. To fulfil the Partnership Agreement commitment to make the economy the number one priority and thereby secure the economic and social benefits for the Scottish people to which the Executive is committed, the allocation of resources for the period up to 2007-08 will be guided by the need to ensure that portfolios contribute explicitly and purposefully towards that end.
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