More Powers for the Scottish Parliament: Scottish Government Proposals

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Publication Date October 2014
ISBN 978-1-78412-850-0
Content Type ,

Proposals from the Scottish Government for substantial more powers for the Scottish Parliament were published on the 10 October 2014 by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The proposals – which focus on equipping the Scottish Parliament to create more jobs, tackle inequality and protect public services – have also been sent to the Commission led by Lord Smith of Kelvin.

The Scottish Government’s key proposals include:

• Full fiscal responsibility for the Scottish Parliament: all tax revenues should be retained in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament should have policy responsibility for all taxes unless there is a specific reason for a continued reservation.

• In particular, the Scottish Parliament should have full autonomy for income tax, national insurance, corporation tax, capital gains tax, fuel duty, air passenger duty and inheritance tax.

• Responsibility for all domestic expenditure – including welfare – with payments made to the UK government for reserved services;

• A sustainable framework for public finances including the necessary borrowing powers, and an agreement with the UK Government on the overall approach to public finances, including a commitment to continue the Barnett formula during any transitional period and if the Scottish Parliament’s financial powers fall short of full fiscal responsibility.

• Responsibility for key economic levers: such as employment policy (including the minimum wage) employability programmes; transport policy not currently devolved (including rail), competition, energy and broadcasting policy; and the Crown Estate.

Source Link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/10/2806
Related Links
ESO: Scottish independence referendum, 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/scottish-independence-referendum-2014/
Scotland: Government: Newsroom: Press Release, 10.10.14: Powers for a purpose http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Powers-for-a-purpose-113d.aspx
ESO: Background information: Scotland: Devolution proposals - Commons Library Standard Note http://www.europeansources.info/record/scotland-devolution-proposals-commons-library-standard-note/
ESO: Background information: Cameron promises more devolution across UK http://www.europeansources.info/record/cameron-promises-more-devolution-across-uk/
BBC News, 10.10.14: SNP calls for major post-'No' powers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29564608
The Guardian, 10.10.14: Scottish government calls for maximum devolution http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/10/scottish-government-calls-maximum-devolution

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