New powers for Holyrood could be fast-tracked to be in place earlier than planned in the Smith Commission, the Scottish Secretary has revealed.
David Mundell ruled out a second Scotland Bill to devolve more responsibility to Edinburgh during this Parliament but said he would be open to “sensible” amendments to the package being announced in today’s Queen’s Speech and published in full on Thursday.
It also emerged the Scottish Government is in discussion with UK counterparts over powers beyond those in the cross party agreement.
However, Mr Mundell insisted his priority would be ensuring Smith was delivered in full and ruled out full fiscal autonomy, a key part of the SNP’s election manifesto where the Scottish Parliament would control everything except defence and foreign affairs.
He said: “It is inconsistent with the UK as we see it but it is also bad for Scotland.”
Scotland’s sole Conservative MP expects Royal Assent on the Bill by next February so the powers could inform manifestos for May’s Holyrood election.
He added: “I very much hope they can be implemented by 2019. We will be doing everything possible to make sure that’s the case.”
The SNP’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson said his party offered an effective opposition to the Conservatives as it was confirmed the Nationalists will work with Plaid Cymru and the Greens as a “progressive alliance”.
Mr Robertson said opposing further spending cuts would be “at the heart of our response to the Tories’ programme for government.”
On devolution, he added: “This is the first key test. And as the First Minister agreed with David Cameron, the Scottish Government will also put forward proposals for a transfer of powers beyond Smith for discussion between the Scottish Secretary and the Deputy First Minister.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said a full commitment to the Smith Agreement must be front and centre of the speech.
Labour’s shadow Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, said the speech would “confirm the return of the nasty party” through £12 billion of welfare cuts.
An EU Referendum Bill, a British Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act, an Income Tax Bill, Enterprise Bill and strike laws reform are all expected to be part of the package unveiled by the Queen on behalf of the Government.