The UK Government has been urged to make “improvements” to the biggest shake-up to devolution since the creation of the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish external affairs minister Fiona Hyslop challenged Scotland Office minister David Mundell to make changes to the Scotland Bill. Monday’s meeting in London came as MPs prepared to debate the merits of the bill in the House of Commons.
The bill will give the Scottish Parliament tax and borrowing powers and control over drink-drive limits, speed limits and air weapon legislation.
Ms Hyslop handed over a file of amendments which she claims are necessary to fulfill the recommendations made by a cross-party committee of MSPs at Holyrood.
“I am challenging the UK Government to respond to the will of the Scottish Parliament and the constructive proposals of the Scottish Government,” she said. “As a government we think further improvements are required to provide the financial responsibility Scotland needs to grow our economy and address other significant flaws in the bill.
“I have today given David Mundell a concise file setting out how the UK Government could now implement some of the committee’s recommendations for which there is broad support in Scotland, ranging from income tax to drink-driving limits and speed limits. In the same positive spirit, intended to assist the UK Government further, I have provided a number of illustrative amendments they could make to the Scotland Bill.
“We also think there should be further improvements that go beyond the SBC’s report but were not ruled out by that committee. In addition there is a lack of information about hugely important financial areas such as how the block grant might be adjusted.”
Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ann McKechin has also recommended changes, including a clarification of who qualifies as a “Scottish taxpayer.”
“Labour supports the recommendations to devolve more revenue responsibility to increase the Scottish Parliament’s accountability and we are pleased those recommendations are in the Scotland Bill,” she said. “But we also want to see proper scrutiny, which is why I am pressing Michael Moore to delay the next stage of the Bill until the Commons has had the opportunity to review and debate the clauses from the government about the right of appeal for certain criminal cases between the High Court and Supreme Court.
“We are also calling on the government to bring forward capital borrowing powers to 2012 to allow the next Scottish Parliament to fund important projects like the Forth road crossing.
“We think the recommendations of the Holyrood committee to increase the limits of the Scottish Parliament’s borrowing capabilities are sensible and are calling on the government to take these proposals on board.
“The SNP have tabled a series of amendments focussing on their exposed plan for fiscal autonomy and separation which would leave Scotland isolated and weak in a time of economic uncertainty. Labour amendments seek to strengthen the bill and to focus on what really matters and the best deal for Scots.”