Devolving More Powers To Holyrood

Draft legislation, setting out further devolution for Scotland, will be published today.

The draft bill, to make the Smith Commission's proposals for a stronger Scottish Parliament law, will be published.

Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will meet in Edinburgh for talks.

Nationalists have said the plans don't go far enough, given the result of the referendum.

Proposals for Enhanced Powers Include:

• The power to set income tax rates and bands on earned income and will retain all of the income tax raised in Scotland. 
• A share of VAT will be assigned to the Parliament and Air Passenger Duty will be fully devolved.
• The Parliament will be made permanent in UK legislation and given powers over how it is elected and run including the power to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote.
• The Parliament will be given powers to create new benefits in devolved areas and make discretionary payments in any area of welfare.
• And a range of other benefits that support older people, carers, disabled people and those who are ill will be fully devolved.

 
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says the proposals, to fulfil the pre-referendum "vow" from the three main UK parties, are ahead of schedule:

Previewing the publication, Depute First Minister John Swinney said:

“The proposals which Mr Cameron publishes today must live up to the word and spirit of the Smith Commission. Scotland should not – and will not – accept anything less.

“While the Smith Commission recommendations did not go as far as we wanted, and do not live up to the ‘Vow’ made before the independence referendum, we welcome them, and they must now be delivered in full.

Ahead of speaking at the commemorative conference for the late Professor Ailsa McKay at Glasgow Caledonian University, Mr Swinney added:

“There is a long way to go before these proposals are put into law. What we have today is the start of the process to develop a Westminster Bill which has widespread support for introduction shortly after this year’s general election.

“We will be working closely with stakeholders to ensure these proposals are right for Scotland and that they reflect the views of ordinary people. The Scottish Government is focused on securing economic growth, tackling inequality and protecting our public services, and the new powers being delivered must help deliver those goals.

“We will carefully examine today’s paper, because anything which backtracks, waters down or falls short of what Lord Smith recommended would be unacceptable – and ultimately it is the people of Scotland who will determine if these proposals go far enough.”