Plans to devolve tribunals delayed for at least two years

The Scottish government was meant to take over the operation of a number of tribunals but a report now makes clear this will now not take place “before 2022”.

Holyrood officials said it was “disappointing” that their counterparts in Westminster had not published plans for transferring the powers five years after they were agreed.

Dave Moxham, deputy general of the STUC, said: “We’re concerned at the length of time this has taken and we’re certainly concerned we haven’t had any substantive contact from the Scottish government on this issue for a significant period of time.

“We have now sought a meeting with the Justice Secretary at which this is one of the major agenda items we will be raising.”

The Smith agreement provides that “all powers over the management and operation” of reserved tribunals should be devolved to Holyrood. But draft plans for employment tribunals were met with criticism from lawyers, judges and others.

Mr Moxham added: “I think the issue is they’ve not managed to convince stakeholders they have a clear vision that is acceptable.”

The trade union Unite said it was “deeply concerned” at the delay.

Pat Rafferty, the union’s Scottish secretary, said: “In the context of Brexit and a Tory majority it’s imperative every tool is used by the Scottish government to protect and safeguard workers.

“Instead, a power is not being used for reasons unknown, which is completely unacceptable.”

Patrick Mcguire, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, said: “If Westminster is creating this delay, where’s the public political outcry?” he said. “We’ve certainly not seen any particular public pushing by the Scottish government for it to be delivered.

“If it is down to the UK government, then we come back to The Vow and false promises. The SNP should be shouting it from the rooftops, but we have not had that, why?”

A Scottish government spokesman said: “It is disappointing that after five years the UK government has not been able to publish its proposals for how this devolution will be delivered and we have written to it seeking progress. We will seek to agree a realistic transfer date as part of our current engagement.”

A spokesman for HM Courts and Tribunals said: “This is a complicated piece of work, with good progress being made.”