More devolution for Scotland?

Published byLiam A Entwistle

27th November 2014

The Smith Commission today delivered its proposals for new powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

The headline proposals include:-

• The Scottish Parliament will have complete power to set income tax rates and bands and will control the first 10% of revenue raised from VAT.
• There will also be increased borrowing powers, to be agreed with the UK government, to help promote capital investment and ensure budgetary stability.
• The Scottish Parliament will be given the power to authorise voting by 16 and 17-year-olds in time for the 2016 Scottish parliamentary election.
• The Scottish Parliament will also control Air Passenger Duty, which is charged on people flying from Scottish airports.
• The licensing of onshore oil and gas extraction from Scottish land will also be devolved.

If these changes are voted into law, they will impact on all of our lives in all sorts of ways, so as the proposals are debated at Holyrood, we will continue to keep you informed.