Holyrood: 'A Powerhouse Parliament'

Holyrood could take control of a further £5 billion worth of revenue as part of plans announced today.

Labour politicians have lodged new amendments to the Scotland Bill with an aim of also allowing Edinburgh to design a new social security system.

The Bill is expected to return to the House of Commons after recess.

The amendments have been unveiled on the day that the Scottish Parliament will debate the conclusions of the Smith Commission. Labour’s amendments include measures to assign all revenue from VAT, ensure the Scottish Parliament can top-up welfare benefits, even where individuals have been sanctioned, and to give the Scottish Government the power to create any new benefit. Amendments have also been submitted to investigate the concerns raised by many charities across Scotland regarding the impact of new income tax powers on the Gift Aid system.

Commenting as the amendments were published, Ian Murray said: “Labour is the party of devolution. It was a Labour Government, after a decision by people across Scotland, that created the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and we will show that same ambition and determination in pushing for more powers in the Scotland Bill. We are focussed not just on making sure that the Scottish Parliament gets the powers it needs, but also on how we will use those powers to improve the lives of people across the country.

“We have approached the Scotland Bill constructively, because this is a real opportunity for people across Scotland, and we want to make sure they get the powerhouse Parliament at Holyrood they were promised. Our amendments would significantly increase the powers currently in the Scotland Bill by assigning £5 billion more of revenue and ensuring that the Scottish Parliament has the powers over welfare that Scotland needs to design its own social security system.

“We are also pushing the Government to review the Gift Aid system in light of the new income tax powers. Many charities across Scotland have raised with me their concerns about the impact on gift aid. It’s essential that we get to the bottom of these issues before the new powers are implemented.”

Speaking ahead of the debate in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Labour’s Democracy Spokesperson, Claire Baker MSP, said:

“The full powers of the Smith Commission will give Scotland one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world, that’s why the Scottish Labour Party will ensure they are delivered in full.

“These powers will give the Scottish Parliament significant control over the social security system in Scotland and the ability to create a new social security system for Scotland.

“It’s essential that when these powers are devolved, power isn’t hoarded in Holyrood. We have to empower local government and communities across Scotland by devolving more power to them as well. We need to give people powers to challenge a Scottish Government which has been one of the most centralising administrations Scotland has had.”