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New Scottish Parliament powers bill published New Scottish Parliament powers plan published
(about 2 hours later)
Proposed legislation to give new powers to the Scottish Parliament has been published by the UK government. The UK government has published plans for new Scottish Parliament powers, but SNP ministers said they had been significantly watered down.
The plans to devolve financial, tax and other powers were set out after the "No" vote in September's independence referendum. A bill to devolve financial and other powers was set out after the "No" vote in September's independence referendum.
Prime Minister David Cameron said Westminster ministers had kept their promise to strengthen Holyrood.Prime Minister David Cameron said Westminster ministers had kept their promise to strengthen Holyrood.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "significant watering down" of what had been promised. But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said UK ministers would get a veto on Scottish powers in key areas.
The legislation was based on the recommendations of the Smith Commission, set up by Mr Cameron, although the Westminster bill to deliver the new powers will not be enacted until after the UK election in May. Meanwhile, Jim Murphy, the Scottish Labour leader, called for more responsibility to be devolved to local communities.
The Westminster legislation was based on the recommendations of the Smith Commission, set up by Mr Cameron, although it will not be enacted until after the UK election in May.
Its publication came ahead of a meeting between the prime minister and Ms Sturgeon, in Edinburgh.Its publication came ahead of a meeting between the prime minister and Ms Sturgeon, in Edinburgh.
The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have all pledged to ensure the Scotland Bill becomes law, whoever wins the election. The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have all pledged to ensure the new Scotland Bill becomes law, whoever wins the election.
Mr Cameron is expected to say the proposed legislation, contained in a command paper, proves the so-called "vow" on new Holyrood powers made by the pro-Union parties ahead of the referendum has been delivered ahead of schedule.Mr Cameron is expected to say the proposed legislation, contained in a command paper, proves the so-called "vow" on new Holyrood powers made by the pro-Union parties ahead of the referendum has been delivered ahead of schedule.
"We said draft legislation would be published by Burns Night and here we are, three days before the celebrations start, with those clauses before us," he is expected to say. He will say: "We said draft legislation would be published by Burns Night and here we are, three days before the celebrations start, with those clauses before us.
Describing the new powers as "built to last", the prime minister will insist they will make Holyrood "one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world".Describing the new powers as "built to last", the prime minister will insist they will make Holyrood "one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world".
The Smith Commission recommended the Scottish Parliament be given the power to set income tax rates and bands, but not to alter the threshold above which tax is paid.The Smith Commission recommended the Scottish Parliament be given the power to set income tax rates and bands, but not to alter the threshold above which tax is paid.
It also proposed a proportion of VAT raised in Scotland should be assigned to Holyrood and air passenger duty fully devolved.It also proposed a proportion of VAT raised in Scotland should be assigned to Holyrood and air passenger duty fully devolved.
The Smith Commission recommended the devolution of a range of benefits to support older people, carers and disabled people and said the parliament should be able to create new benefits in devolved areas and make discretionary payments in any area of welfare.The Smith Commission recommended the devolution of a range of benefits to support older people, carers and disabled people and said the parliament should be able to create new benefits in devolved areas and make discretionary payments in any area of welfare.
But Ms Sturgeon said, under the proposals, the UK government will hold a veto over key devolved powers, including the ability to "abolish the bedroom tax", and called for an urgent rethink of what was on offer.But Ms Sturgeon said, under the proposals, the UK government will hold a veto over key devolved powers, including the ability to "abolish the bedroom tax", and called for an urgent rethink of what was on offer.
She said: "The legislation published today does not represent the views of the Scottish government, but it does represent some progress.She said: "The legislation published today does not represent the views of the Scottish government, but it does represent some progress.
"However, too much of what the prime minister has set out imposes restrictions on the recommended devolved powers and would hand a veto to UK ministers in key areas.""However, too much of what the prime minister has set out imposes restrictions on the recommended devolved powers and would hand a veto to UK ministers in key areas."
The Scottish first minister said the proposals on welfare would not allow Holyrood ministers to vary Universal Credit without the permission of the UK government.The Scottish first minister said the proposals on welfare would not allow Holyrood ministers to vary Universal Credit without the permission of the UK government.
Ms Sturgeon added: "At the same time, the power argued for by stakeholders to create new benefit entitlements in any devolved area has simply not been delivered, while the command paper makes clear that, pending devolution of disability support, the roll-out of personal independence payments and the cut to spending on disability benefits will continue.Ms Sturgeon added: "At the same time, the power argued for by stakeholders to create new benefit entitlements in any devolved area has simply not been delivered, while the command paper makes clear that, pending devolution of disability support, the roll-out of personal independence payments and the cut to spending on disability benefits will continue.
"This cannot, under any interpretation, represent the meaningful progress on the devolution of the powers we need to design a social security system that meets Scotland's needs.""This cannot, under any interpretation, represent the meaningful progress on the devolution of the powers we need to design a social security system that meets Scotland's needs."
The veto claims have been denied by the UK government, and Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael insisted there would be "no backsliding" when it came to delivering new powers.
The transfer of powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish parliamentary elections - another Smith recommendation - has already been agreed.The transfer of powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish parliamentary elections - another Smith recommendation - has already been agreed.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael insisted the legislation would definitely be passed after the general election, saying there would be would be "no backsliding". Mr Murphy said the UK government publication was "modern Home Rule delivered," adding: "It's the vow that everyone spoke about being achieved.
Labour MSP Iain Gray, who represented his party on the Smith Commission, said the move amounted to "home rule" and should be followed by the devolution of powers from Edinburgh to towns and cities around Scotland. "This is an important day for Scotland. We have more power than ever before in our great country - but I want to go further."
He added: "I would like to see local communities and our cities have the ability to introduce new social security benefits to help people to get back into work."