The Fiscal Maze: Parliament, Government and Public Money

The United Kingdom’s Economic Constitution

“…In the words of an inquiry into the process, "[t] he majority of people who gave evidence to this inquiry were of the view that the supply process as it currently operates, while being very complex, is little more than a 'rubber stamp' ". 30 No estimate (the document setting out each department's annual spending for approval) has been rejected since 1919 (referring to the provision of a second bathroom in the Parliament building for the Lord Chancellor).31 It is important, therefore, to emphasize that the role of Parliament is not one of control but of scrutiny. 32 Even this role has however become an increasingly difficult one to undertake, and our economic constitution has grown in a way very different from that envisaged by the 17th century settlement.…”