Job Creating Powers

Calls for the immediate devolution of job creating powers to Scotland are intensifying, following a promise in the Smith Agreement.

Scottish Labour will publish the Job Creation Scotland Bill in the House of Commons today.

Yesterday, Labour MSPs called on the Scottish Government considering devolving powers to local councils once Holyrood is in full control.

Commenting ahead of the publication of the Bill, Ian Murray MP said:
 
"All parties involved in the Smith Agreement signed up to devolve the job creating powers of the work programme to Scotland. That needs to happen now. The Tory's Work Programme is failing Scotland. We have a lower success rate than any English region and only 1 in 5 people are in work at the end of the scheme. 
 
"Labour will support immediate devolution of the work programme and we'll put it to a vote in the House of Commons next month. The list of people who want these powers devolved now is growing: campaigning organisations, charities and the leaders of Scotland’s three largest cities have all said they should come now.
 
"The Government can bring forward legislation now to make this happen, or we will force a vote on this next month."