David Cameron to reveal devolved powers for Scotland January 22, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron will reveal draft legislation outlining devolved powers for Scotland today. He will also meet Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh to discuss enacting the plans. The “command paper” is believed to contain 44 new clauses across 100 pages. In the run-up to last year’s Scottish independence referendum, [...]
William Hague outlines English votes for English laws: Here’s what you need to know December 16, 2014 William Hague has outlined proposals for English votes for English laws (EVEL). Speaking to the House of Commons, Hague revealed his party's plans to put an end to the so-called West Lothian question that has divided opinion across the UK for decades. Under the current system Scottish MPs have the right to vote on issues [...]
Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy: “I consult no one on the issues that are devolved in Scotland” December 14, 2014 Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy drew a clear dividing line between his party leadership in London and north of the border yesterday, claiming that he would not run policies by Ed Miliband first. Talking about devolved issues in Scotland, Murphy said that any policy affecting Scots would be decided north of the border by Scottish [...]
Northern Ireland eyes up new corporation tax powers as government concern over Scotland’s demands grows December 1, 2014 The coalition is embroiled in last-minute talks to determine whether Northern Ireland can be granted the power to set its own rate of corporation tax. Chancellor George Osborne is keen to signal his support for the move in tomorrow’s Autumn Statement, yet the government has been held back by concerns that Scottish leaders would subsequently demand the [...]
Further devolution is great news for Scotland: Now it’s London’s turn November 27, 2014 THE AGREED conclusion of the Smith Commission into further devolution for Scotland is excellent news – real power to tax and spend, including responsibility over income tax rates and bands, is now set to be wielded by the Scottish Parliament. Now it’s London’s turn. The capital is the UK’s economic powerhouse, providing a staggering £34bn [...]
Scottish Devolution: What does the Smith Commission report mean for Scotland the rest of the UK? November 27, 2014 It has been labelled as the biggest shake-up to the UK’s taxation system in the modern era, but what exactly does the contents of the Smith Commission report mean for Scotland and the rest of England? As had been expected, the Smith Commission has recommended delivering to Scotland an unprecedented number of new powers [...]
Scottish devolution: Holyrood to get control over income tax and retain right to vote on rest of UK rates November 26, 2014 A cross-party committee of MPs will today propose that the Scottish parliament be handed direct control over billions of pounds of income tax and welfare benefits. Lord Smith of Kelvin will unveil the plans after 11 weeks of secret negotiations culminated last night as representatives from five different political parties put the finishing touches to [...]
Scottish devolution: Holyrood to get control of tax rates and benefits November 26, 2014 Scotland is to be able to set different tax rates to the rest of the UK after Labour dropped its opposition to the changes. The changes came with the reluctant blessing of Eds Miliband and Balls, although the latter is understood to have insisted that Westminster retain control of the personal allowance, the threshold below [...]
Alistair Darling warns of economic woes if tax powers are devolved to Scotland November 24, 2014 Plans to devolve full tax and welfare powers to Scotland could lead to higher borrowing costs for the UK, according to Alistair Darling. The Labour MP and former chancellor, who led the “Better Together” campaign in the run up to the independence vote on 18 September, said in the FT that giving Scotland full control [...]
Alex Salmond: “No” voters in independence referendum have been misled by devolution promises September 21, 2014 Alex Salmond believes "No" voters in the Scottish independence referendum have been misled by false promises of more devolutionary powers. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, Salmond claimed the three main UK party leaders' devolution vows were "cooked up in desperation for the last few days of the campaign." Scotland voted against independence on [...]