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Final Commons vote on Scotland Bill Scotland Bill: Commons debating new Scottish powers
(about 1 hour later)
Legislation to give more powers to the Scottish Parliament is to complete its final House of Commons stages. MPs are debating plans to give more powers to Holyrood as the Scotland Bill completes its final stages in the Commons.
MPs will vote on the Scotland Bill which aims to deliver more devolution as agreed by the Smith Commission. Members are to vote on the bill, which aims to deliver more devolution as agreed by the Smith Commission.
SNP MPs have tabled an amendment calling for MSPs to have full control over timing and organisation of any future independence referendum. The debate opened shortly after 16:30, with SNP MP Pete Wishart criticising the amount of time available to discuss the bill and its amendments.
A final vote on the bill needs to be carried out by 22:30.
Mr Wishart said the lack of time was a "slap in the face" for Scotland, and added: "Scotland is watching these proceedings and it will not understand the gross disrespect shown to our nation's debate and our nation's business."
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said Mr Wishart was "always angry at something", adding: "Each time we have discussed this bill we have had this sort of stunt".
Assuming the bill is backed by MPs it will then be passed to the House of Lords for further consideration.
The Scottish Parliament will also need to give its legislative consent before the bill receives royal assent, which is scheduled to be in the spring of next year - ahead of May's Holyrood election.
The UK government said the bill would make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.The UK government said the bill would make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.
It has tabled more than 80 amendments which UK ministers claim allay criticism that the bill does not go far enough.It has tabled more than 80 amendments which UK ministers claim allay criticism that the bill does not go far enough.
These include enhanced power over welfare which would allow the Scottish government to create new benefits, the power to top-up reserved benefits such as tax credits and control of abortion law.These include enhanced power over welfare which would allow the Scottish government to create new benefits, the power to top-up reserved benefits such as tax credits and control of abortion law.
Among the amendments tabled by the SNP is one which would give Scotland full fiscal autonomy by handing control over all taxation, borrowing and public expenditure to Holyrood.Among the amendments tabled by the SNP is one which would give Scotland full fiscal autonomy by handing control over all taxation, borrowing and public expenditure to Holyrood.
Assuming the bill is backed by MPs, it will then be passed to the House of Lords for further consideration. The Scottish Parliament will also need to give its legislative consent before the bill receives royal assent, which is scheduled to be in the spring of next year - ahead of May's Holyrood election. SNP MPs have also tabled an amendment calling for MSPs to have full control over timing and organisation of any future independence referendum.
Ahead of Monday's vote in the Commons, Scottish Secretary David Mundell challenged the SNP to outline the changes it would make using the enhanced welfare powers.Ahead of Monday's vote in the Commons, Scottish Secretary David Mundell challenged the SNP to outline the changes it would make using the enhanced welfare powers.
He said there were over 80,000 people in Scotland claiming Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit and 349,000 families receiving tax credits.He said there were over 80,000 people in Scotland claiming Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit and 349,000 families receiving tax credits.
Scottish ministers had a duty to provide costings for any proposed welfare changes ahead of next May's Holyrood election, he said.Scottish ministers had a duty to provide costings for any proposed welfare changes ahead of next May's Holyrood election, he said.
"Holyrood now stands on the cusp of becoming one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world," he said."Holyrood now stands on the cusp of becoming one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world," he said.
"We have nearly completed all the stages of the legislation in the House of Commons and it is now time to find out what the price tag on benefits could be for Scottish taxpayers."We have nearly completed all the stages of the legislation in the House of Commons and it is now time to find out what the price tag on benefits could be for Scottish taxpayers.
"Even the Scottish government now accept that the Scotland Bill gives them substantial new powers over benefits. It allows them to top-up tax credits, top-up child benefit or even create brand new benefits in devolved areas."Even the Scottish government now accept that the Scotland Bill gives them substantial new powers over benefits. It allows them to top-up tax credits, top-up child benefit or even create brand new benefits in devolved areas.
"The vote in the Commons will mean the Scottish government have run out of excuses for not telling Scotland what their benefits plans are.""The vote in the Commons will mean the Scottish government have run out of excuses for not telling Scotland what their benefits plans are."
"People now want to know how much this is all going to cost and how it will be paid for.""People now want to know how much this is all going to cost and how it will be paid for."
A spokesman for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "sheer hypocrisy" for Mr Mundell to point out how many Scots were receiving tax credits when his government was "planning to slash them".A spokesman for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "sheer hypocrisy" for Mr Mundell to point out how many Scots were receiving tax credits when his government was "planning to slash them".
The spokesman added: "The Scotland Bill is far from perfect, giving Scotland responsibility for just 14% of welfare spending.The spokesman added: "The Scotland Bill is far from perfect, giving Scotland responsibility for just 14% of welfare spending.
"Last week, after months of pressure, the UK government lodged over 80 amendments to try and bring the Scotland Bill up to scratch."Last week, after months of pressure, the UK government lodged over 80 amendments to try and bring the Scotland Bill up to scratch.
"These are welcome, but there are still shortcomings, and Holyrood will make a final decision on the bill in a few months' time."These are welcome, but there are still shortcomings, and Holyrood will make a final decision on the bill in a few months' time.
"The final vote will depend on the outcome of negotiations between the Scottish government and the Treasury, on the funding framework that comes with it."The final vote will depend on the outcome of negotiations between the Scottish government and the Treasury, on the funding framework that comes with it.
"The UK government retains effective vetoes in many areas, and the powers of conditionality and sanctions which will hurt the most vulnerable hardest will remain at Westminster.""The UK government retains effective vetoes in many areas, and the powers of conditionality and sanctions which will hurt the most vulnerable hardest will remain at Westminster."
Scottish Labour said the amended Scotland Bill more than fulfilled the Vow, the promise of more powers made just before last September's referendum.Scottish Labour said the amended Scotland Bill more than fulfilled the Vow, the promise of more powers made just before last September's referendum.
Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray MP said: "The challenge now is to the SNP government to tell us how they are going to use these powers.Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray MP said: "The challenge now is to the SNP government to tell us how they are going to use these powers.
"These powers create an incredible opportunity for Scotland, and we need politicians with the political will to use them."These powers create an incredible opportunity for Scotland, and we need politicians with the political will to use them.
"As a first step, Nicola Sturgeon should be telling people across Scotland how she will use the powers to restore the money lost from tax credit cuts.""As a first step, Nicola Sturgeon should be telling people across Scotland how she will use the powers to restore the money lost from tax credit cuts."