Scottish Government calls for Scotland Bill amendments

The Scottish Government has thrown its weight behind calls for more powers to be included in the new devolution legislation working its way through Parliament.

Deputy first minister John Swinney said changes were necessary in order for the bill to “properly implement the Smith Agreement in full”.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson also said the published draft legislation was “woefully lacking”, despite Scottish secretary David Mundell stating the UK government was moving “to deliver on our commitment to make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world”.

The government is to convene a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the Scotland Bill and will soon publish proposals for further powers beyond those proposed by the Smith Commission.

An extensive series of proposals has already been sent to Holyrood’s Devolution (Further Powers) Committee as part of the Scottish Government’s formal response to the committee’s interim report on the Smith Commission.

The proposed amendments would “remove the UK Government’s veto over key decisions, give the Scottish Parliament an explicit power to create new benefits in devolved areas and would ensure that the Scottish Parliament cannot be abolished without the consent of the Scottish people”, according to Swinney.

He said: “These basic changes to the Bill will give future Scottish Governments the freedom to exercise new powers without interference, like any other government.

“As all parties in the Scottish Parliament supported the Smith Agreement and all have agreed with the view of the Devolution committee that the current bill does not implement Smith properly, I expect all parties to support our actions to make the Bill fit for purpose and enact the proper devolution we all signed up to.

“We will also put forward proposals shortly for more powers to be devolved through the Scotland Bill including employment policy, the minimum wage, welfare, business taxes, national insurance and equality policy - the powers we need to create jobs, grow revenues and lift people out of poverty.”