New devolution legislation unveiled

Scotland’s new devolution settlement has been published today in the form of UK Government draft legislation. The paper explains how the recommendations of the Smith Commission on further powers will be implemented.

David Cameron will visit Edinburgh later to meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and is expected to say early publication of ‘the command paper’ – it was due by Burns Night – proves doubters, who believed the government wouldn’t deliver on the “vow” of new powers made before the referendum of Scottish independence, wrong.

"Now, here we have it: new powers for Scotland, built to last, securing our united future," he is expected to say.

Scottish Labour MSP Iain Gray, who was a member of the Smith Commission, said it was an “exciting time” for Scotland. “Any politician who is not excited by the potential these powers will give us to change Scotland for the better, should ask themselves if they are in the right job,” he said.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who represented the SNP on the Commission said the paper must live up to “the word and spirit” of the recommendations. “We will carefully examine today’s paper, because anything which backtracks, waters down or falls short of what Lord Smith recommended would be unacceptable – and ultimately it is the people of Scotland who will determine if these proposals go far enough,” he said.