Call for time limits on public inquiries as costs soar

"Holyrood's finance committee has warned that statutory public inquiries are "over-stretched and poorly defined" with limited financial oversight. It found that the cost of inquiries in Scotland has risen by 30m this year, totalling almost 260m since 2007. The Scottish government welcomed the report and said it would respond to the proposals in due course. Five public inquires were started in Scotland between 2007 and 2014, including the Penrose contaminated blood probe and the Edinburgh Tram inquiry, at a cost of 42.6m."

"Since 2014, a further six inquiries have been launched, costing 204.8m so far. The committee's report states that the total cost of the inquiries since 2007 - adjusted for 2024-25 prices - is 258.8m. The committee's report recommended that inquiries have defined budgets and timescales, and that any extensions should be justified to parliament. It cited the example of Sweden, where public inquiries are typically required to conclude within two years and within a set budget."

Holyrood's finance committee warned that statutory public inquiries in Scotland are over-stretched, poorly defined and lack sufficient financial oversight. Inquiry costs increased by 30m this year, bringing the total to about 258.8m since 2007 (adjusted to 2024-25 prices). Eleven inquiries have been launched since 2007, including high-profile probes such as the Penrose contaminated blood inquiry and the Edinburgh Tram inquiry. The committee recommended defined budgets and timescales, parliamentary justification for extensions, and greater transparency in decision-making. The committee highlighted pressures on public services and courts when resources are diverted, and called for guidance requiring inquiries only after alternatives are exhausted. The Scottish government welcomed the findings and said it would respond to the proposals in due course.

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