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| Panel Details Plan to Give Scotland More Powers | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| LONDON — Scotland was promised sweeping powers over taxation and welfare spending on Thursday under a proposed deal meant to address concerns that helped drive a Scottish attempt to secede from the United Kingdom in September. | |
| The groundbreaking proposals have the backing of major political leaders in both England and Scotland, but a final vote on legislation to enact the changes is not expected until next year after a new government is elected. And even as the plan was commended by political leaders, it was also raising new questions about how to share power equitably within the United Kingdom. | The groundbreaking proposals have the backing of major political leaders in both England and Scotland, but a final vote on legislation to enact the changes is not expected until next year after a new government is elected. And even as the plan was commended by political leaders, it was also raising new questions about how to share power equitably within the United Kingdom. |
| The proposed changes represent the biggest shake-up of Scotland’s relationship with London since the Scottish Parliament was re-established in Edinburgh 15 years ago. British leaders, shaken by polls that had showed momentum shifting toward independence, promised Scots more autonomy if they rejected secession in the referendum in September. (The independence bid later lost by a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent.) | The proposed changes represent the biggest shake-up of Scotland’s relationship with London since the Scottish Parliament was re-established in Edinburgh 15 years ago. British leaders, shaken by polls that had showed momentum shifting toward independence, promised Scots more autonomy if they rejected secession in the referendum in September. (The independence bid later lost by a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent.) |
| The plan announced on Thursday was devised by a commission that included representatives from Scotland’s main political parties. Under its proposals, the Scottish Parliament would have the power to set income tax rates, and some of the revenues from sales taxes raised in Scotland would go toward the Scottish budget. The Scottish government would also be able to control the duties imposed on passengers traveling through Scottish airports. | The plan announced on Thursday was devised by a commission that included representatives from Scotland’s main political parties. Under its proposals, the Scottish Parliament would have the power to set income tax rates, and some of the revenues from sales taxes raised in Scotland would go toward the Scottish budget. The Scottish government would also be able to control the duties imposed on passengers traveling through Scottish airports. |
| In addition, Scotland would gain significant control over welfare spending. Scotland generally leans more to the left than England and one of the main goals of many of those who pushed for secession was to be able to spend more liberally on social programs. | In addition, Scotland would gain significant control over welfare spending. Scotland generally leans more to the left than England and one of the main goals of many of those who pushed for secession was to be able to spend more liberally on social programs. |
| The Scottish Parliament also would be given the power to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. | The Scottish Parliament also would be given the power to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. |
| But even as political leaders lauded the proposals on Thursday, tensions about their wider ramifications were clear. | But even as political leaders lauded the proposals on Thursday, tensions about their wider ramifications were clear. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday welcomed the commission’s findings saying it was a “good day for the U.K.” But he again called for curbs on the ability of Scottish lawmakers elected to the British Parliament to decide on issues related solely to England. | Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday welcomed the commission’s findings saying it was a “good day for the U.K.” But he again called for curbs on the ability of Scottish lawmakers elected to the British Parliament to decide on issues related solely to England. |
| The opposition Labour Party opposes that idea because 41 of its lawmakers were elected from Scotland. | The opposition Labour Party opposes that idea because 41 of its lawmakers were elected from Scotland. |
| Wales’s first minister, Carwyn Jones, meanwhile, called for Wales to receive similar powers to those being devised for Scotland. “If it’s going to Scotland and not to Wales, how else are the people of Wales meant to look at it other than it being discriminatory on the part of the U.K. government?” he told the BBC. | Wales’s first minister, Carwyn Jones, meanwhile, called for Wales to receive similar powers to those being devised for Scotland. “If it’s going to Scotland and not to Wales, how else are the people of Wales meant to look at it other than it being discriminatory on the part of the U.K. government?” he told the BBC. |
| And there was criticism from some English lawmakers including Edward Leigh, a Conservative former minister, who said there were “inconsistencies and unanswered questions” in the report. Rushing the process risked “throwing petrol on the embers of English resentment” about Scottish separatism, he said in Parliament. | And there was criticism from some English lawmakers including Edward Leigh, a Conservative former minister, who said there were “inconsistencies and unanswered questions” in the report. Rushing the process risked “throwing petrol on the embers of English resentment” about Scottish separatism, he said in Parliament. |
| Legislation on the recommendations is expected to be drafted early next year and put in place by the government that will be formed after a general election in May. | Legislation on the recommendations is expected to be drafted early next year and put in place by the government that will be formed after a general election in May. |
| Robert Smith, a member of the House of Lords who led the commission on Scotland, said that the recommendations would result in “the biggest transfer of powers” to the Scottish Parliament since its establishment. | Robert Smith, a member of the House of Lords who led the commission on Scotland, said that the recommendations would result in “the biggest transfer of powers” to the Scottish Parliament since its establishment. |
| Leading supporters of Scottish independence accepted the panel’s recommendations, although some said they would have liked more concessions. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, said the proposed changes fall “well short of the proposals from the Scottish government and those from a wide cross section of civic Scotland.” | Leading supporters of Scottish independence accepted the panel’s recommendations, although some said they would have liked more concessions. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, said the proposed changes fall “well short of the proposals from the Scottish government and those from a wide cross section of civic Scotland.” |