This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35697399

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Swinney urges Holyrood to approve Scotland Bill Swinney urges Holyrood to approve Scotland Bill
(about 4 hours later)
Finance Secretary John Swinney has urged the Scottish Parliament to approve the Scotland Bill to devolve new powers north of the border.Finance Secretary John Swinney has urged the Scottish Parliament to approve the Scotland Bill to devolve new powers north of the border.
The bill, which devolves some tax and welfare powers to Scotland, is currently undergoing scrutiny in the House of Lords.The bill, which devolves some tax and welfare powers to Scotland, is currently undergoing scrutiny in the House of Lords.
A special motion has been lodged allowing Holyrood to have a say on the Westminster bill.A special motion has been lodged allowing Holyrood to have a say on the Westminster bill.
Mr Swinney said it "provides useful additional powers in important areas".Mr Swinney said it "provides useful additional powers in important areas".
A financial deal underpinning the new powers was agreed by the Scottish and UK governments last month.A financial deal underpinning the new powers was agreed by the Scottish and UK governments last month.
'Financial responsibility''Financial responsibility'
The bill was drawn up based on the recommendations of the Smith Commission in the wake of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.The bill was drawn up based on the recommendations of the Smith Commission in the wake of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Mr Swinney said the bill had been amended during its passage to reflect the comments of the Scottish government and Holyrood committees.Mr Swinney said the bill had been amended during its passage to reflect the comments of the Scottish government and Holyrood committees.
He said: "While the Scottish government remains of the view that the Scotland Bill could have delivered more effective and coherent powers to the Scottish Parliament, it provides useful additional powers in important areas such as taxation and social security.He said: "While the Scottish government remains of the view that the Scotland Bill could have delivered more effective and coherent powers to the Scottish Parliament, it provides useful additional powers in important areas such as taxation and social security.
"With an agreed fiscal framework that increases the Scottish Parliament's financial responsibility and protects the Barnett formula, the Scottish government is now prepared to recommend that the Scottish Parliament consents to the Scotland Bill.""With an agreed fiscal framework that increases the Scottish Parliament's financial responsibility and protects the Barnett formula, the Scottish government is now prepared to recommend that the Scottish Parliament consents to the Scotland Bill."
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said there was a "broad consensus" that the legislation would create a "powerhouse parliament".
He said: "It shows that the debate has moved on from process to deliver.
"MSPs elected in May will in effect, be elected to a new Scottish Parliament - a Holyrood 2.0 with significant powers over health, education, planning and housing - and now also full control of the rates and bands of income tax and the ability to reshape, top up and create new welfare benefits in Scotland.
"The question now is how those powers can be put to use to improve the lives of people in Scotland."