This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-34448682

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
David Mundell: New tax powers should be devolved in 2017 David Mundell: New tax powers should be devolved in 2017
(about 9 hours later)
New income tax powers for Holyrood should come into force in 2017 - a year earlier than expected - according to the Scottish secretary.New income tax powers for Holyrood should come into force in 2017 - a year earlier than expected - according to the Scottish secretary.
The Scotland Bill will devolve control over rates and bands of income tax to the Scottish Parliament.The Scotland Bill will devolve control over rates and bands of income tax to the Scottish Parliament.
David Mundell said the UK government is keen to see the new powers transferred by April 2017. David Mundell said the UK government was keen to see the new powers transferred by April 2017.
The Scottish government said it would not support a deal that left Scotland worse off.The Scottish government said it would not support a deal that left Scotland worse off.
The Scotland Bill, which is currently before the UK Parliament, is the legislation drawn up as a response to the recommendations made by the Smith Commission following the "No" vote in last year's independence referendum.The Scotland Bill, which is currently before the UK Parliament, is the legislation drawn up as a response to the recommendations made by the Smith Commission following the "No" vote in last year's independence referendum.
The commission recommended devolving the power to set rates and bands of income tax for Scottish taxpayers to Holyrood.The commission recommended devolving the power to set rates and bands of income tax for Scottish taxpayers to Holyrood.
Talks have been going on between the Scottish and UK governments as to when these powers should be transferred, with the likely date widely expected to have been 2018.Talks have been going on between the Scottish and UK governments as to when these powers should be transferred, with the likely date widely expected to have been 2018.
Mr Mundell has now said he wants it to happen in the next 18 months in order to give Holyrood "more power and responsibility".Mr Mundell has now said he wants it to happen in the next 18 months in order to give Holyrood "more power and responsibility".
Such a move could make taxation a major issue in next year's Holyrood election campaign.Such a move could make taxation a major issue in next year's Holyrood election campaign.
Mr Mundell is to tell the Conservative party conference later: "The final date for the transfer will be agreed between both of Scotland's governments as part of the Fiscal Framework negotiations, which are on-going. But we think 2017 is an achievable and desirable time for these new powers to take effect. Mr Mundell told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "What we're trying to do is ensure that the powers that were recommended by the Smith Commission are in place as soon as is practical.
"It would mean that the Scottish Government elected next year would have to include plans for these new powers in its first budget. "That will allow for next year's Scottish Parliament elections, for there actually to be a debate about tax and spending in Scotland.
"So when people in Scotland go to the polls next year, the parties will need to present their plans for income tax. And they'll need to be honest about what they will mean for Scottish taxpayers." 'Significant power'
Mr Mundell said the new timetable would allow whoever was in power in 2017 to use the new powers when deciding Scotland's tax and spending plans.
He added: "We've set out an offer to them [the SNP] to make these tax powers available from 2017.
"Of course, if they don't want to take that up then that is a matter for them but I think they would have to explain that to the people of Scotland as to why - having consistently argued for powers and having this very significant power to raise £11bn in revenue - they chose not to do it."
A spokesman for Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "The Tories just need to get on with the job of delivering more powers for Scotland, and a deal which meets the spirit and letter of the Smith Commission recommendations.A spokesman for Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "The Tories just need to get on with the job of delivering more powers for Scotland, and a deal which meets the spirit and letter of the Smith Commission recommendations.
"What is currently proposed fails that test, as it limits Scottish ministers' ability to use the new powers and retains vetoes for UK ministers."What is currently proposed fails that test, as it limits Scottish ministers' ability to use the new powers and retains vetoes for UK ministers.
"We still need to reach agreement on a fiscal framework that gives the Scottish government flexibility to use the new powers effectively, to boost the economy and create jobs - and we have made it crystal clear that we will not support any proposed deal which risks leaving Scotland worse off.""We still need to reach agreement on a fiscal framework that gives the Scottish government flexibility to use the new powers effectively, to boost the economy and create jobs - and we have made it crystal clear that we will not support any proposed deal which risks leaving Scotland worse off."