Budgets are the link between the policy choices that Government makes and the services that are delivered to people. Better budgeting plays an important role in improving service delivery. Over the past six years, Government has made good progress in reprioritising resources to meet the social and economic needs of people across South Africa. The key challenge over the next few years is to strengthen the link between spending and service delivery, helping Government to improve the quality of services it delivers.
The 2001 Budget sees the introduction of a new format – the Estimates of National Expenditure – integrating the previous Estimates of Expenditure (the "White Book") and the National Expenditure Survey.
The Estimates of National Expenditure is a significant step forward in national budget transparency. Policy developments, legislation and other factors affecting expenditure are tabled alongside departmental spending plans. Details of departmental outputs and service delivery indicators that may be used to track delivery of public services are published for each expenditure programme.
Tracking service delivery informs department heads, policy and decision-makers, and civil society about the progress Government is making towards meeting its social and economic objectives. This helps departments to plan, budget and better manage service delivery programmes. It improves accountability and control. It informs policy and decision-making, and provides more information about what goods and services government monies "buy".
Above all, the 2001 Estimates of National Expenditure is a product of cooperation. Treasury spending teams have worked closely with the policy and budget teams of other national departments and agencies, clarifying policy developments and spending trends, specifying outputs and identifying service delivery indicators. The National Treasury is most grateful for the contribution of all of these officials, and looks forward to strengthening these relationships across Government as we progress further with budget reform. A special word of thanks goes to the team at the National Treasury who worked tirelessly to produce a document whose substance and quality we are all proud of.
Maria Ramos
Director-General: National Treasury