Scottish Budget 2021 to 2022
The Scottish Budget sets out the Scottish Government’s proposed spending and tax plans for 2021 to 2022, as presented to the Scottish Parliament.
Chapter 15 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Portfolio Responsibilities
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is the sole public prosecution authority in Scotland, prosecuting cases independently, fairly and effectively in the public interest. It is also responsible for investigating sudden, unexplained and suspicious deaths and allegations of criminal conduct by police officers.
The Lord Advocate has Ministerial responsibility for the work of the Service. His position as head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths is enshrined in the Scotland Act 1998 and he exercises that responsibility independently of any other person.
The complexity and profile of casework which the Service deals with has changed significantly in recent years. There is an increase in complex cases which require longer investigations and court hearings. The gathering and analysis of evidence is more time-consuming because of the expanded use of social media and electronic communications and the Service increasingly relies on the evidence of expert witnesses to interpret technical, scientific and medical issues.
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
| Level 2 | 2019-20 Budget | 2020-21 Budget | 2021-22 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| COPFS | 120.7 | 133.8 | 156.7 |
| Total COPFS | 120.7 | 133.8 | 156.7 |
| of which: | |||
| Total Fiscal Resource | 113.4 | 124.9 | 146.8 |
| Non-cash | 3.7 | 4.6 | 5.1 |
| Capital | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| Financial Transactions | - | - | - |
| UK Funded AME | - | - | - |
| Total Limit on Income (accruing resources) | 2.0 | ||
| Level 3 | 2019-20 Budget | 2020-21 Budget | 2021-22 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Staff Costs | 84.6 | 95.0 | 113.8 |
| Office Costs | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Case related | 12.9 | 13.3 | 16.7 |
| Centrally Managed Costs | 16.0 | 17.4 | 17.6 |
| Capital Expenditure | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| Total COPFS | 120.7 | 133.8 | 156.7 |
| of which | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 113.4 | 124.9 | 146.8 |
| Non-cash | 3.7 | 4.6 | 5.1 |
| Capital | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| Financial Transactions | - | - | - |
| UK Funded AME | - | - | - |
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributions to the National Outcomes
Primary National Outcomes
- Communities
Secondary National Outcomes
- Human Rights
- Economy
- Fair Work & Business
- Environment
For further information on the purpose of the portfolio budget, and contributions to national outcomes (including impacts of spend on equality of outcome) please refer to the relevant portfolio annex in the published Equalities and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement.
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