The Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) in its submission welcomed the 2012 MTBPS and viewed the proposed budget framework as reflective of the recommendations that the FFC has made over the years. The Commission stated that economic growth has come in slower than expected and this has been exacerbated by internal strife in the labour markets resulting in a downward revision of revenue by R5 billion and a higher than projected budget deficit. However, the Commission was also of the view that growth and employment in South Africa can only be achieved through a combination of fiscal consolidation and investment into future growth given the prevailing economic climate.