Decisions on the allocation of public money to government departments and to priority areas for public spending are central to the political process. This report aims to set the "2007 Comprehensive Spending Review" in context, particularly in relation to past Reviews and the fiscal prospects for the period up to 2010-11.

Decisions on the allocation of public money to government departments and to priority areas for public spending are central to the political process. The Committee's report has three main objectives: to set the "2007 Comprehensive Spending Review" in context, particularly in relation to past Reviews and the fiscal prospects for the period up to 2010-11; to analyse the shape of the forthcoming spending settlement, including the role of efficiency objectives and the performance management framework; and to make proposals about the continuing debate up to the announcement of the final outcome of the Review, including the role of the House of Commons and public involvement in that debate, and about the reporting requirements.Amongst its 24 conclusions and recommendations, the report notes that public spending is projected to rise in real terms during the period from 2008-11 at half the rate of growth provided for during the period covered by the four preceding Reviews taken together. It also finds that all of the departments which have so far agreed settlements have done so at levels significantly below rates of growth provided for in the 2004 spending review settlements.