Scotland Act 2016 receives Royal Assent

The bill completed its Parliamentary stages last night and Lindsay Hoyle, deputy speaker of the House of Commons, later announced that it had received Royal Assent from Her Majesty the Queen.

The powers will include the ability to set income tax rates and thresholds, control over a significant part of the welfare system and a wide range of other measures which Westminster said will transform the Parliament at Holyrood into one of the most powerful devolved administrations in the world.

Hailing bill’s passing, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “The Scotland Act will deliver a powerhouse parliament for Scotland and enable us to meet our commitment to make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world. I am delighted that it has now received Royal Assent.

“We can now move on from questions about process and May’s Scottish Parliamentary elections can be fought on the issues which really matter: how the Scottish Government should best use its extensive new powers for the benefit of the people of Scotland.”

David Mundell, the Secretary of State for Scotland said: “This is a hugely significant moment in the political life of our country. The Scottish Parliament has now come of age.

“It will have power over and responsibility for income tax rates and thresholds. Its spending decisions will become more transparent and taxpayers in Scotland will be able to hold it to account for them.

“Ministers will be able to design a welfare system they believe best fits the needs of people in Scotland and will be able to put in place the measures needed to pay for it.

“But most of all, Scotland will have a mature Parliament suited to the needs of our country in the 21st Century.

“This is what the people of Scotland called for; this is what the UK government committed to deliver.

“We have been true to our word. It is now for those elected to the Scottish Parliament to use those powers for the good of Scotland. I know they will do their utmost to do just that and I look forward to working with them so together, the UK and Scottish governments can help Scotland fulfil its true potential.”

However, the landmark was received less enthusiastically by SNP MPs.

Angus MacNeil, who represents Na h-Eileanan an Iar, said: “Isn’t it time that we moved away from the devolution that is effectively crumbs from the table from Westminster and moved to a model that Copenhagen shares with the Faroe Islands and Greenland: The larder is open, you choose your own powers.

“No longer should we be given crumbs from the table at Westminster but the Scottish government takes the powers the Scottish government wants from Westminster when it wants.”

Ian Murray, the shadow Scottish Secretary and Labour’s only MP in Scotland, said: “With the passing of this bill and the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament we can lay the old arguments of the referendum to rest alongside any doubt that The Vow has not been delivered.

“The conversation must now move on to how these powers are used, or not used in some cases.”