Estimates
Encyclopedia
In countries using the Westminster system
the Estimates are a series of legislative proposals to parliament outlining how the government will spend its money.
The Estimates are drawn up by bureaucrats in the treasury department in collaboration with representatives from the cabinet
. They consist of detailed reports on how each department or ministry will spend its money. The estimates are normally introduced in the House of Commons
just prior to the main budget
, which gives them time to be analyzed by House committees. Unlike the budget the estimates contain no references to fiscal policy
, long term goals, or where the money is coming from. After each section is reviewed by the relevant committee the entire Estimates are voted on as one bill. This "supply" vote is a matter of confidence
. Unlike tax proposals in the budget, the Estimates are rarely controversial, with most issues being dealt with in committee.
Most of the countries also mandate an update or series of updates to the Estimates to account for changes in the economy or in government policy. In Canada, for instance, this update must be passed in December each year.
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
the Estimates are a series of legislative proposals to parliament outlining how the government will spend its money.
The Estimates are drawn up by bureaucrats in the treasury department in collaboration with representatives from the cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
. They consist of detailed reports on how each department or ministry will spend its money. The estimates are normally introduced in the House of Commons
House of Commons
The House of Commons is the name of the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada and historically was the name of the lower houses of Ireland and North Carolina...
just prior to the main budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
, which gives them time to be analyzed by House committees. Unlike the budget the estimates contain no references to fiscal policy
Fiscal policy
In economics and political science, fiscal policy is the use of government expenditure and revenue collection to influence the economy....
, long term goals, or where the money is coming from. After each section is reviewed by the relevant committee the entire Estimates are voted on as one bill. This "supply" vote is a matter of confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. Unlike tax proposals in the budget, the Estimates are rarely controversial, with most issues being dealt with in committee.
Most of the countries also mandate an update or series of updates to the Estimates to account for changes in the economy or in government policy. In Canada, for instance, this update must be passed in December each year.