Sir Robert has welcomed the publication of draft legislation to deliver greater powers to the Scottish Parliament, in accordance with the Smith Commission Agreement between all five main Scottish political parties. Commenting, Sir Robert has said: Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for Home Rule within a strong United Kingdom. Liberal Democrats were a leading part of the Constitutional Convention that created the Scottish Parliament, we played a key role in the Calman Commission, we delivered the Scotland Act and we contributed to the Smith Commission. Today we are delivering on the Vow made ahead of September’s independence referendum. The draft proposals which have been published will give the Scotland Parliament new tax powers to raise over half of the money it spends and powers to create a new Scottish Welfare System with a starting budget of £2.5 billion. Further powers relating to energy, civil protections, transport and public bodies will also be devolved. As a result of these clauses the Scottish Parliament will be the third most powerful devolved parliament in the world. Liberal Democrats in Government have delivered draft legislation ahead of time and as promised. The Scottish Government must now also stand by the Smith Agreement to ensure that these new powers are implemented so that they can begin to benefit Scottish people as soon as possible. Read the draft clauses here: https://gov.uk/government/publications/scotland-in-the-united-kingdom-an-enduring-settlement
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:00:01 +0000
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