There are major differences in the MTBF systems and expenditure objectives of EU Member States

The EU Contact Committee of the European Supreme Audit Institutions has published a parallel audit of medium-term budgetary frameworks (MTBF).

The parallel audit examined the functioning of the MTBFs of seven EU Member States in relation to the Budgetary Frameworks Directive and the EU fiscal rules. The audit also examined how the systems support the national budgetary planning and the predictability of expenditure policy in the coming years.

There are major differences in the national MTBF systems and expenditure objectives of different countries even though they are linked to the EU fiscal rules and the requirements set for MTBFs. However, the expenditure objectives of different countries were found to have the same challenges regarding how they are reconciled with the EU objectives, e.g. in terms of different accounting systems and data coverage.

The audit also examined the achievement of expenditure objectives in annual budgeting. Variation was found between countries in how the MTBF is reflected in budgeting.

The parallel audit was carried out within the Fiscal Policy Audit Network, and the participants included the SAIs of Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Sweden. The National Audit Office of Finland is currently chairing the Fiscal Policy Audit Network and was also responsible for compiling the summary report.

Read the summary report:

Joint report on the parallel audit of Medium-Term Budgetary Frameworks

Finland’s national audit conducted as part of the parallel audit was already published in June 2021. The audit was targeted at the Finnish central government spending limits system.

Read about the audit conducted in Finland:

Functioning of the central government spending limits system

Categories