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Second reading for Scotland Bill in House of Commons Second reading for Scotland Bill in House of Commons
(about 17 hours later)
MPs will consider and vote on plans to devolve more powers to Scotland when the House of Commons debates the second reading of the Scotland Bill later. MPs are considering plans to devolve more powers to Scotland as the House of Commons debates the second reading of the Scotland Bill.
The bill follows the recommendations of the Smith Commission, which was set up after the independence referendum.The bill follows the recommendations of the Smith Commission, which was set up after the independence referendum.
It would give Holyrood control over income tax rates and bands, a half share in VAT revenues and a greater say over welfare powers in Scotland.It would give Holyrood control over income tax rates and bands, a half share in VAT revenues and a greater say over welfare powers in Scotland.
The SNP say the bill falls short in almost every way. The SNP said the bill falls short in almost every way.
'Strong signal' The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, opened the debate by reiterating the UK government's commitment to deliver its promise of further devolution.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, will open the debate. Mr Mundell said that if MPs voted for the bill at the second reading it would be subjected to four days of line-by-line scrutiny at the committee stage.
He is expected to reiterate the UK government's commitment to deliver its promise of further devolution. He will also pay tribute to Lord Smith and the politicians who sat on the Smith Commission. The Tory MP said he was happy to have his "feet held to the fire" because he was confident it delivered the Smith Commission recommendations in full.
Mr Mundell said: "The fact the Scotland Bill is the first piece of legislation to be debated in this new session sends a clear and strong signal of our intent to get on with the business of delivering significant new powers for Scotland." He said: "It is the fulfilment of our manifesto commitment that the all-party Smith Commission agreement should be implemented in full.
While it has main party support, the second reading will allow MPs to discuss the principles of the legislation and provide parties with a platform to put forward their opinions. "The fact that this bill was introduced on the first day after the Queen's Speech and that this debate is taking place on the first day since the general election speaks volume for the determination to honour that manifesto commitment and get on with the job."
The SNP, which has 56 of Scotland's 59 MPs, is calling for further powers over employment laws, the minimum wage and business taxes. The second reading allows MPs to discuss the principles of the legislation and provide parties with a platform to put forward their opinions.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "The Scotland Bill put forward by the UK government fails to deliver the Smith Agreement in full, either in spirit or in law. The SNP, which has 56 of Scotland's 59 MPs, is calling for further powers over employment laws, the minimum wage and business taxes to also be devolved.
SNP MPs made a number of interventions during the debate, claiming that the bill does not meet the Smith Commission recommendations.
Before the debate, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "The Scotland Bill put forward by the UK government fails to deliver the Smith Agreement in full, either in spirit or in law.
"The changes we have proposed would bring the Scotland Bill up to scratch and properly implement the Smith Agreement in full. That's the absolute minimum we need if the prime minister's respect agenda is to have any credibility.""The changes we have proposed would bring the Scotland Bill up to scratch and properly implement the Smith Agreement in full. That's the absolute minimum we need if the prime minister's respect agenda is to have any credibility."
Meanwhile, the Scottish government has challenged the UK Treasury's austerity plans. In a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Swinney, in his capacity as the Scottish finance secretary, will say the UK government could ease the scale and speed of spending cuts, invest in public services and still achieve its debt and borrowing targets.
'Struggling families''Struggling families'
Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, said his party would table a number of amendments to strengthen the Scotland Bill as they see it. They want the final say on benefits to rest with Scotland. Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told the House of Commons that after the bill was passed, the Scottish government would have immense power to change society for the better while continuing to benefit from the pooling and sharing of resources across the UK.
Mr Murray said: "More devolution can protect the most vulnerable in Scotland from the worst of the Tories. The major new powers coming to Scotland give us the chance to do things differently, so that never again can a right-wing government impose the bedroom tax on struggling families. He said: "But, what is required now is the ideas and political will to deliver on that potential.
"The final say on benefits paid in Scotland should be made in Scotland." "That political will has always been a Labour priority, as demonstrated through the Calman and Smith Commissions, to deliver progressive change for Scotland.
The debate will end with a vote on whether the Bill can proceed to the Committee stage, at which point individual clauses and amendments would be debated. "It appears like the SNP are desperate to be disappointed by this bill."