Dimension: 1.1.3 Budgetary autonomy

This dimension covers parliament’s autonomy over its own budget, finances and resources, including its offices, supplies, assets and staff. This budget could also include funding for a range of other services, such as a non-partisan office responsible for providing expert budget analysis of policy implementation, or security services for parliament and MPs. 

Budget Budget A plan typically prepared by the executive and placed before parliament each year (depending on national statute) showing what money the government expects to receive (revenue) and how the government proposes to spend it (expenditure). autonomy means that only parliament can determine and approve its own budget, and that it has independent financial expertise in order to ensure effective oversight of its funds. Specifically, this implies that the parliamentary budget is not subject to approval or allowance by the executive, and that parliament alone can execute it. It also means that the parliamentary budget is recognized by the government in the annual budget cycle, with allocated resources for parliament in the budget plan (see also Indicator 1.8: Budget Budget A plan typically prepared by the executive and placed before parliament each year (depending on national statute) showing what money the government expects to receive (revenue) and how the government proposes to spend it (expenditure). ).

Show more Show less

Aspiring goal

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “budgetary autonomy” is as follows:

  • The budget to fund parliament’s activities and operations is clearly separated from the government budget. Parliament has the authority to debate and approve its budget and is solely responsible for its management.
  • The budget provides parliament with the resources its needs to fund its offices, equipment, staff and security measures.
  • Management of the parliamentary budget is subject to regular scrutiny through internal or external audits that are independent of the executive. 
     

Assess your parliament against this dimension

Assessment criteria

No 1: Legal framework

The legal framework establishes parliament’s autonomy over its own budget, including the authority to approve and manage this budget independently from the executive.

No 2: Resources

The parliamentary budget provides parliament with the financial resources needed to effectively carry out its mandate. This budget is sufficient to allow parliament to pay MPs’ compensation, hire staff, develop and finance non-partisan analysis and oversight offices, ensure the security of parliament, invest in technology and infrastructure, procure supplies and equipment, and acquire other assets and resources as necessary for its operations.

No 3: Budget management and scrutiny

Parliament has the expertise and resources to use its funds effectively. Management of the parliamentary budget is subject to regular scrutiny through internal audits and an external, independent supreme audit institution.

How to complete this assessment

This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based. 

The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:

  • Provisions from the legal framework establishing parliament’s autonomy over its budget 
  • Rules of procedure Rules of procedure The rules approved by parliament to regulate its proceedings and govern the way it conducts its business. , debated and adopted by parliament alone, establishing parliament’s autonomy to manage its budget
  • A copy of the annual parliamentary budget
  • National budget packages outlining the reserved budget for legislative branch operations
  • The existence of an independent audit office or equivalent institution that oversees finances related to parliament alone, including its offices, resources and staff
  • Credible reports on the sufficiency of the resources allocated to parliament, potentially including observations by MPs or assessments by independent audit offices or equivalent institutions
Download this indicator

Get help with this assessment

The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators. 

Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.

Download assessment guidanceGet expert advice

URL copied to clipboard