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David Mundell says Holyrood 'should devolve more powers' David Mundell says Holyrood 'should devolve more powers'
(about 1 hour later)
Scottish cities, towns and villages risk being left behind other parts of the UK unless they are given greater control over their own affairs, the Scottish secretary is to claim.Scottish cities, towns and villages risk being left behind other parts of the UK unless they are given greater control over their own affairs, the Scottish secretary is to claim.
David Mundell will argue that it is time for Holyrood to "end its dominance" over Scottish life.David Mundell will argue that it is time for Holyrood to "end its dominance" over Scottish life.
And he will say that Westminster is "setting the pace" in breaking up the "central government monolith".And he will say that Westminster is "setting the pace" in breaking up the "central government monolith".
The Scottish government said Mr Mundell's calls had no credibility. The Scottish government said it had a "dynamic agenda of shifting power".
Mr Mundell will be speaking in Glasgow days after council leaders warned that Finance Secretary John Swinney's latest budget plans would be "catastrophic" for jobs and services in Scotland's local authorities. It also said Mr Mundell had "no credibility" when it came to devolution, given his opposition to amendments to the Scotland Bill.
'Honest and frank''Honest and frank'
And it urged Mr Mundell to look at how Westminster was handling local authority affairs south of the border before criticising the situation in Scotland.
Mr Mundell will be speaking in Glasgow days after council leaders warned that Scottish finance secretary John Swinney's latest budget plans would be "catastrophic" for jobs and services in Scotland's local authorities.
Mr Swinney has allocated £10.3bn for local government as part of his spending plans for 2016, which local government body Cosla said amounted to a £350m cut.Mr Swinney has allocated £10.3bn for local government as part of his spending plans for 2016, which local government body Cosla said amounted to a £350m cut.
The Scottish secretary will argue that councils' concerns about the future mean it is time for an "honest and frank" debate about the way forward for them.The Scottish secretary will argue that councils' concerns about the future mean it is time for an "honest and frank" debate about the way forward for them.
His proposals would see local authorities given greater control over areas such as health, transport and policing, with towns and cities also having more say over their own affairs.His proposals would see local authorities given greater control over areas such as health, transport and policing, with towns and cities also having more say over their own affairs.
Mr Mundell will say: "The interminable debate about Scotland's constitutional place within the UK has drowned out debate about how power and responsibility is distributed within Scotland.Mr Mundell will say: "The interminable debate about Scotland's constitutional place within the UK has drowned out debate about how power and responsibility is distributed within Scotland.
"The referendum was decisive and an obsession with independence can no longer be an excuse to ignore this issue. It's time for Holyrood to step up and send real powers to the people."The referendum was decisive and an obsession with independence can no longer be an excuse to ignore this issue. It's time for Holyrood to step up and send real powers to the people.
"There is a revolution going on in local government across the rest of the United Kingdom, with local areas regaining power and responsibility at an unprecedented rate. Scotland cannot afford to be left behind.""There is a revolution going on in local government across the rest of the United Kingdom, with local areas regaining power and responsibility at an unprecedented rate. Scotland cannot afford to be left behind."
'Northern Powerhouse''Northern Powerhouse'
Mr Mundell will stress that he is not advocating a reorganisation of local government, but rather bringing an end to what he sees as a "one-size-fits-all" approach for councils.Mr Mundell will stress that he is not advocating a reorganisation of local government, but rather bringing an end to what he sees as a "one-size-fits-all" approach for councils.
He will urge the Scottish government to "follow the lead of the UK government" in devolving powers to cities, counties and towns.He will urge the Scottish government to "follow the lead of the UK government" in devolving powers to cities, counties and towns.
Mr Mundell will say that "the Northern Powerhouse is breaking new ground" and the "Midlands Engine is gaining pace" south of the border.Mr Mundell will say that "the Northern Powerhouse is breaking new ground" and the "Midlands Engine is gaining pace" south of the border.
He will add: "On the crucial issue of breaking up the central government monolith, it's now Westminster which is setting the pace and leading the way.He will add: "On the crucial issue of breaking up the central government monolith, it's now Westminster which is setting the pace and leading the way.
"There is now real risk that Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, and indeed the towns and counties of Scotland as a whole, will be left behind - stuck in a 1990s time-warp of centralised, Holyrood-dominance.""There is now real risk that Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, and indeed the towns and counties of Scotland as a whole, will be left behind - stuck in a 1990s time-warp of centralised, Holyrood-dominance."
'No credibility''No credibility'
A spokesman for John Swinney said: "David Mundell has just spent months opposing amendments to the Scotland Bill, refusing Scotland job-creating powers, so his calls now have absolutely no credibility. The Scottish government has said that it takes a "partnership approach" to local government and has a "commitment to subsidiarity".
"The Scottish government's approach is one of partnership with local government - it is an approach that varies substantially from that taken in some other parts of the UK and is based on a shared vision of strengthened community planning, engagement and empowerment." It points to legislation such as the Community Empowerment Act and Land Reform Bill as evidence that it is giving local communities a bigger say in their own affairs.
The spokesman said the Scottish government wanted to "help shift the balance of power more towards communities", through the Community Empowerment Act and Land Reform Bill. Mr Swinney told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Just in the last few weeks I took a decision to enable local authorities improve their business rates performance by reducing business rates, making their areas more competitive and attracting more business into their locality.
He added: "Initiatives such as the Scottish Rural Parliament, and the Cities Convention, are also aimed at bringing people and policymakers together to enable better understanding, improved policy and greater empowerment of communities. "I took that decision and implemented it in October. That decision will not be implemented in the rest of the United Kingdom until 2020.
"These institutions, alongside action to ensure island communities benefit from the revenue of the Crown Estate, demonstrate our commitment to subsidiarity." "So I think before Mr Mundell starts giving us a lecture in Scotland about how we are exercising these responsibilities, perhaps his own government should get its own house in order."