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| Scottish devolution: MPs debate Scotland Bill | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The SNP has challenged other opposition parties at Westminster to back its proposals to increase the powers contained in the Scotland Bill. | The SNP has challenged other opposition parties at Westminster to back its proposals to increase the powers contained in the Scotland Bill. |
| The devolution bill is being debated in the House of Commons. | |
| The SNP has tabled amendments that would give Holyrood greater powers over welfare and employment law than those which have been proposed. | The SNP has tabled amendments that would give Holyrood greater powers over welfare and employment law than those which have been proposed. |
| Scottish Secretary David Mundell said the UK government would not back any amendments that are "bad for Scotland". | Scottish Secretary David Mundell said the UK government would not back any amendments that are "bad for Scotland". |
| Labour has also tabled several amendments on taxation and welfare powers. | Labour has also tabled several amendments on taxation and welfare powers. |
| The bill, which was based on the recommendations of the cross-party Smith Commission, will give Holyrood control over income tax rates and bands, a half share in VAT revenues and a greater say over some welfare benefits. | The bill, which was based on the recommendations of the cross-party Smith Commission, will give Holyrood control over income tax rates and bands, a half share in VAT revenues and a greater say over some welfare benefits. |
| Remove any veto | Remove any veto |
| Among the SNP amendments is a proposal which would see the Scottish and UK governments enter into an "Economic Agreement" which would set out a plan for implementation of full fiscal autonomy. | Among the SNP amendments is a proposal which would see the Scottish and UK governments enter into an "Economic Agreement" which would set out a plan for implementation of full fiscal autonomy. |
| It would also establish a framework within which the two governments would "coordinate their economic and fiscal policies in the context of full fiscal autonomy". | It would also establish a framework within which the two governments would "coordinate their economic and fiscal policies in the context of full fiscal autonomy". |
| Further amendments would remove any veto Westminster may have over new welfare powers that are being devolved to Scotland. | Further amendments would remove any veto Westminster may have over new welfare powers that are being devolved to Scotland. |
| The party also wants Holyrood to be given control over working age benefits, benefits relating to children, and employment support programmes. | The party also wants Holyrood to be given control over working age benefits, benefits relating to children, and employment support programmes. |
| And it wants control over National Insurance contributions, employment law and equal opportunities being given to MSPs. | And it wants control over National Insurance contributions, employment law and equal opportunities being given to MSPs. |
| A previous amendment that would have given Holyrood the ability to move towards full fiscal autonomy at a time of its choosing was voted down last week. | A previous amendment that would have given Holyrood the ability to move towards full fiscal autonomy at a time of its choosing was voted down last week. |
| SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson urged MPs from other opposition parties to back the amendments, which he said would show whether Labour supported Scottish control or continued Westminster control in these key areas. | SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson urged MPs from other opposition parties to back the amendments, which he said would show whether Labour supported Scottish control or continued Westminster control in these key areas. |
| The Moray MP said: "At a time of savage cuts to the welfare state by the Tories - causing real hurt to hard working families and vulnerable people, and driving more and more people to food banks - the choice is between having welfare powers in Scotland's hands, or leaving them in the hands of Iain Duncan Smith and George Osborne. There is no other option." | The Moray MP said: "At a time of savage cuts to the welfare state by the Tories - causing real hurt to hard working families and vulnerable people, and driving more and more people to food banks - the choice is between having welfare powers in Scotland's hands, or leaving them in the hands of Iain Duncan Smith and George Osborne. There is no other option." |
| But Mr Mundell said the Scotland Bill would already give the Scottish Parliament "substantial" tax and VAT powers worth about £15bn. | But Mr Mundell said the Scotland Bill would already give the Scottish Parliament "substantial" tax and VAT powers worth about £15bn. |
| 'No brainer' | 'No brainer' |
| And he insisted that voting against the "black hole plan" of full fiscal autonomy, which would give the Scottish Parliament responsibility for raising all the money it spends, was a "bit of a no brainer". | And he insisted that voting against the "black hole plan" of full fiscal autonomy, which would give the Scottish Parliament responsibility for raising all the money it spends, was a "bit of a no brainer". |
| Mr Mundell said: "This government will not accept amendments that are not good for Scotland. Full fiscal autonomy would be bad for Scotland - leaving us with £10bn less to spend by the end of this parliament. | Mr Mundell said: "This government will not accept amendments that are not good for Scotland. Full fiscal autonomy would be bad for Scotland - leaving us with £10bn less to spend by the end of this parliament. |
| "To put this number into context - last year the Scottish government spent £10bn on education and justice, this is everything from schools and colleges to our police force, prisons and court service." | "To put this number into context - last year the Scottish government spent £10bn on education and justice, this is everything from schools and colleges to our police force, prisons and court service." |
| Labour's proposals include giving a final say on benefits rates for the Scottish Parliament, unrestricted power to create new devolved benefits, a power to top up benefits, including in reserved areas, and the full devolution of housing benefit. | Labour's proposals include giving a final say on benefits rates for the Scottish Parliament, unrestricted power to create new devolved benefits, a power to top up benefits, including in reserved areas, and the full devolution of housing benefit. |
| In the area of taxation, amendments include establishing an independent expert commission to assess the impact of full fiscal autonomy, and the creation of a Scottish Office for Budget Responsibility. | In the area of taxation, amendments include establishing an independent expert commission to assess the impact of full fiscal autonomy, and the creation of a Scottish Office for Budget Responsibility. |
| And Labour also hopes to give Holyrood the power to achieve an equal gender balance in the Scottish Parliament and on the boards of public bodies. | And Labour also hopes to give Holyrood the power to achieve an equal gender balance in the Scottish Parliament and on the boards of public bodies. |
| Labour's shadow Scottish secretary, Ian Murray, said: "Our amendments to the Scotland Bill have one single purpose in mind - to improve the lives of families in Scotland. | Labour's shadow Scottish secretary, Ian Murray, said: "Our amendments to the Scotland Bill have one single purpose in mind - to improve the lives of families in Scotland. |
| "They will secure the money available for public services and protect the most vulnerable people in our country. That was the original purpose of devolution and it's what we should be fighting for as we debate the Scotland Bill as the party of devolution." | "They will secure the money available for public services and protect the most vulnerable people in our country. That was the original purpose of devolution and it's what we should be fighting for as we debate the Scotland Bill as the party of devolution." |
| Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said: "Unlike the SNP, Liberal Democrats respect the result of the referendum and the historic all-party Smith agreement. | Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said: "Unlike the SNP, Liberal Democrats respect the result of the referendum and the historic all-party Smith agreement. |
| "Instead of seeking unity on breaking the Smith agreement I would urge the SNP to unite on the smooth implementation of the big, new powers on the way." | "Instead of seeking unity on breaking the Smith agreement I would urge the SNP to unite on the smooth implementation of the big, new powers on the way." |