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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Backing for more Holyrood powers | Backing for more Holyrood powers |
| (38 minutes later) | |
| The majority of Scots want Holyrood to be given the power to make decisions about income tax and old age pensions, a BBC Scotland poll has suggested. | The majority of Scots want Holyrood to be given the power to make decisions about income tax and old age pensions, a BBC Scotland poll has suggested. |
| But 63% still want Westminster to retain control over defence and foreign policy matters, according to the poll. | But 63% still want Westminster to retain control over defence and foreign policy matters, according to the poll. |
| At present, income tax is mostly settled at Westminster, while pensions are wholly reserved. | At present, income tax is mostly settled at Westminster, while pensions are wholly reserved. |
| The poll of 1,010 people also suggested 56% wanted a referendum before Holyrood's powers are increased. | The poll of 1,010 people also suggested 56% wanted a referendum before Holyrood's powers are increased. |
| ICM carried out interviews for the poll, which was commissioned by BBC Scotland to mark a decade of devolution. It asked respondents who they thought should make most of the important decisions affecting Scotland in a range of policies. | ICM carried out interviews for the poll, which was commissioned by BBC Scotland to mark a decade of devolution. It asked respondents who they thought should make most of the important decisions affecting Scotland in a range of policies. |
| Looks like Scots want Holyrood to run the show when it comes to domestic issues - even those that are currently reserved to Westminster. But there's an obvious exception: defence and foreign affairs Brian TaylorPolitical editor Brian blogs on the poll's findings | Looks like Scots want Holyrood to run the show when it comes to domestic issues - even those that are currently reserved to Westminster. But there's an obvious exception: defence and foreign affairs Brian TaylorPolitical editor Brian blogs on the poll's findings |
| When asked who should make most of the decisions for Scotland about income tax, 62% said the Scottish Government while 34% said the UK Government. | When asked who should make most of the decisions for Scotland about income tax, 62% said the Scottish Government while 34% said the UK Government. |
| The question of who should have responsibility for old age pensions received a similar response, with 65% saying it should be devolved to Holyrood, but only 32% wanting control retained at Westminster. | The question of who should have responsibility for old age pensions received a similar response, with 65% saying it should be devolved to Holyrood, but only 32% wanting control retained at Westminster. |
| An even bigger percentage - 78% - backed the Scottish Government making the big decisions over the NHS in Scotland, with 19% believing health policy should be decided by Westminster. The issue is already devolved to the Scottish Parliament. | An even bigger percentage - 78% - backed the Scottish Government making the big decisions over the NHS in Scotland, with 19% believing health policy should be decided by Westminster. The issue is already devolved to the Scottish Parliament. |
| However, the poll suggested defence and foreign affairs was the one major issue which Scots believed should continue to be handled by Westminster. | However, the poll suggested defence and foreign affairs was the one major issue which Scots believed should continue to be handled by Westminster. |
| Only 35% believed it should be decided by the Scottish Government, while 63% wanted the UK Government to continue to have responsibility. | Only 35% believed it should be decided by the Scottish Government, while 63% wanted the UK Government to continue to have responsibility. |
| Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the results of the poll were a "boost" for the parliament on its 10th birthday. | |
| He added: "The poll as a whole is extremely good news for those who believe in the parliament, and those who want to see the parliament grow in influence and regard. | |
| "It is quite clear the parliament is regarded as a success by the people, and it is also clear that people are getting increasingly ambitious to see their parliament as a powerhouse parliament for the people and much less as a pocket money parliament for Westminster." | |
| The Calman report recommended giving more power to Edinburgh | The Calman report recommended giving more power to Edinburgh |
| Scottish Secretary of State Jim Murphy said it was right that the parliament should have more powers. | |
| He told the BBC: "We get the best of both worlds here. | |
| "We have a Scottish Government looking after things like the health service and the education system and we also have the British Government, led by a Scot, dealing with things like the economy, welfare, international development and social security. | "We have a Scottish Government looking after things like the health service and the education system and we also have the British Government, led by a Scot, dealing with things like the economy, welfare, international development and social security. |
| "Again, it is the right balance and most Scots seem to think it's just about right." | "Again, it is the right balance and most Scots seem to think it's just about right." |
| The Calman Commission into Scottish devolution has recommended handing Edinburgh greater control over income tax and other areas including stamp duty, land tax, airgun legislation, powers over drink-driving and speed limits and the running of the Scottish elections. | The Calman Commission into Scottish devolution has recommended handing Edinburgh greater control over income tax and other areas including stamp duty, land tax, airgun legislation, powers over drink-driving and speed limits and the running of the Scottish elections. |
| The Scottish Parliament has always had the power to vary the standard rate of income tax - the so-called Tartan Tax - by 3p, but this has never been used. | The Scottish Parliament has always had the power to vary the standard rate of income tax - the so-called Tartan Tax - by 3p, but this has never been used. |
| The commission called for a new Scottish-set tax, which would see the UK Treasury deduct 10p from standard and upper rates of income tax in Scotland, accompanied by a cut in the block grant Holyrood gets from the UK Government. | The commission called for a new Scottish-set tax, which would see the UK Treasury deduct 10p from standard and upper rates of income tax in Scotland, accompanied by a cut in the block grant Holyrood gets from the UK Government. |
| 'Tax power' | 'Tax power' |
| Holyrood would then have to decide whether to levy the full 10p, allowing the amount of money Scotland received to stay the same, or to cut the tax rate, meaning a possible reduction in public services. | Holyrood would then have to decide whether to levy the full 10p, allowing the amount of money Scotland received to stay the same, or to cut the tax rate, meaning a possible reduction in public services. |
| The poll found that 56% of those asked wanted a referendum before Holyrood was handed any further tax powers, such as those put forward by Calman, while 37% said these changes could be reasonably made without a referendum. | The poll found that 56% of those asked wanted a referendum before Holyrood was handed any further tax powers, such as those put forward by Calman, while 37% said these changes could be reasonably made without a referendum. |
| However, in response to the figures, Mr Murphy said: "Well I don't think a referendum would be necessary. The tax power is already established at a variable rate within the Scottish Parliament." | However, in response to the figures, Mr Murphy said: "Well I don't think a referendum would be necessary. The tax power is already established at a variable rate within the Scottish Parliament." |
| When asked which scenario came closest to their view of how Scotland should be governed, 28% said Scotland should become independent, with the Scottish Parliament able to make all decisions about taxation and spending, while 47% backed Scotland remaining part of the UK, but with increased power of taxation and spending being handed to Holyrood. | When asked which scenario came closest to their view of how Scotland should be governed, 28% said Scotland should become independent, with the Scottish Parliament able to make all decisions about taxation and spending, while 47% backed Scotland remaining part of the UK, but with increased power of taxation and spending being handed to Holyrood. |
| A further 22% said Scotland should remain part of the UK, with decisions about taxation and spending made by the UK Government. | A further 22% said Scotland should remain part of the UK, with decisions about taxation and spending made by the UK Government. |