Scottish Government recommends approval of Scotland Bill

The Scottish Government has recommended that the Scottish Parliament consents to the Scotland Bill.

A Legislative Consent Memorandum has been lodged with Parliament which highlights changes to the Scotland Bill since its introduction at Westminster and recommends its approval.

Deputy first minister John Swinney said: “While the Scottish Government remains of the view that the Scotland Bill, and the Smith Commission, could have delivered more effective and coherent powers to the Scottish Parliament, the bill provides useful additional powers in important areas such as taxation and social security.

“The UK government amended the bill during its passage to reflect some of the comments of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament and its committees.

“With an agreed fiscal framework that increases the Scottish Parliament’s financial responsibility and protects the Barnett formula, the Scottish Government is now prepared to recommend that the Scottish Parliament consents to the Scotland Bill.

“Today we are setting out how we will create a new social security system based on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect. We will continue to demonstrate how we will use the new Scotland Bill powers to create a fairer, more prosperous country.”