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Introduction
The following series of Technical Notes ( TNs) accompany the Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 published on 14 November 2007 and set out the detail of how each of the 7 Government Economic Strategy targets and the 45 National Indicators and Targets will be measured. The two main aims of these TNs are to provide sufficient public accountability on the robustness of the measurement issues, and to ensure a shared understanding of the details of the indicators and targets among all of the delivery partners.
The TNs provide a summary description of each of the indicators and targets, setting out in addition to the Purpose which of the five Strategic Objectives (Wealthier and Fairer, Smarter, Healthier, Safer and Stronger, and Greener) they will help to inform progress in relation to. They also provide fuller details on the sources of data used to monitor progress and the specific details of methodology.
The principles of equality underpin the Government's investment and work across the delivery of its Purpose and Strategic Objectives - with the Equality Impact Assessment Process being key to delivering equality across policy and practice in the Scottish Government. As such it is important to note that analysis of progress on indicators and targets in relation to equality strands will be taking place wherever possible through existing data, and work to further develop this evidence base will continue to take place.
Each of these notes has been approved by the Chief Statistician.
For a number of reasons the TNs for this year's budget may be subject to more periodic updating and development than in previous budgets, and any improvements to the notes will be made clear. Two key changes that will necessarily impact on the TNs are:-
- Firstly - the move toward a much more outcomes focused approach to the indicators and targets does mean that in some cases there is a need to develop the monitoring information. In each case, the current TN sets out how and when this information will be developed, and the relevant TNs will be updated as the information base develops.
- Secondly - the Scottish Government is working with Local Authorities to develop and implement Single Outcome Agreements, which are a fundamental part of the new relationship between the Scottish Government and local government. As this process moves forward it would be useful to review these notes at an appropriate point and include any additional material that might be beneficial.
All future improvement to the TNs will require prior approval of the Chief Statistician.
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