Implementation of devolved taxes cost £1.2m more than estimated

Scotland's most recent devolved taxes were successfully delivered but their implementation cost about a fifth more than planned, the public spending watchdog has reported.

Audit Scotland has reviewed the performance of Revenue Scotland in delivering the land and buildings transaction tax and the Scottish landfill tax.

It said: "Revenue Scotland successfully managed to overcome delays in procuring a new IT system and appointing staff to ensure the technology and people needed to collect and administer the taxes were in place by the time the new powers went live on April 1 2015."%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-tax%

It cost £5.5 million to implement the devolved taxes, £1.2 million more than originally estimated.

The increase was largely due to staff costs after Revenue Scotland identified extra staff were needed to provide the skills and support needed to deliver the programme within the time available.

Caroline Gardner, Auditor General for Scotland, said: "Good project management involves recognising emerging risks and responding quickly to address them.

"Revenue Scotland effectively managed the risks highlighted in my previous report in December 2014 and successfully delivered the devolved taxes from April this year."

The report also states the Scottish Government and HMRC are working well together in preparing for the introduction of the Scottish rate of income tax in April 2016.

The Scottish Government has also developed "clear structures for overseeing the introduction of new financial powers", it said.

Some arrangements to manage the powers in the Scotland Act 2012 beyond 2015/16 are still being developed.

Audit Scotland said this is a reasonable approach, given that the Scottish and UK governments have yet to agree a new fiscal framework.

Ms Gardner added: "The future landscape of Scotland's public finances is still being mapped out.

"Taken together, the powers in the Scotland Act and the proposals in the Scotland Bill 2015 have significant implications for the Scottish budget and the Scottish Parliament's financial responsibilities.

"This increased responsibility inevitably brings new risks, so it's essential that the Scottish Government leads with an approach to financial reporting that's comprehensive, transparent, reliable, timely and supports enhanced parliamentary scrutiny.

"To achieve this, it should ensure it's in a position to move quickly to further develop this area, once key agreements are reached."