New devolved powers passed by MPs

MPs last night backed the Scotland Bill to devolve further powers to Holyrood, as the legislation completed its journey through the House of Commons.

New powers for the Scottish Parliament include powers over taxation and the ability to top up welfare benefits. The Scottish Government will also be recognised as a permenant part of the UK constitution.

Late government amendments include the devolution of abortion law, a move which was opposed by Labour. The Scottish Parliament will also now be able to top up tax credits if they are cut.

The bill will now go to House of Lords for consideration, and Holyrood will also get to approve it before Royal Assent, which Scottish secretary David Mundell hopes will be before the Scottish Parliament election next year.

Mundell said it was a "significant day" for Scotland.

“The Government’s amendments will strengthen the Scotland Bill’s provisions and clarify its delivery of the Smith Commission Agreement.

"With that done, it will be time for Scotland’s political parties to work together to make the new powers a success for everyone in Scotland.

“The amendments put beyond doubt the bill fully delivers the Smith Commission agreement.”

Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: "When this bill becomes law, it will present the Scottish Parliament with the opportunity to make Scotland the fairest nation on earth.

"Significant tax powers mean that new choices will be available to the Scottish government and new welfare powers provide the opportunity to create a social security system fit for the needs of our people.

"It is now for the SNP government to tell people across Scotland how they will use these powers. In particular, whether they will restore the money lost because of the Tory's tax credit cuts. The UK government confirmed again tonight that the Scottish Parliament will have the power, but not a single SNP MP would make a commitment to restore the money that hard working people have lost."

The SNP backed the bill in the Commons, despite saying it did not go far enough. The party lodged amendments proposing full devolution of tax credits and the ability for the Scottish parliament to set a new vote on independence, but they were defeated.

SNP leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson, said: "The sole purpose of the Scotland Bill has been to implement the Smith Commission in full.  We welcome the government’s late admission that it had failed to do that but this bill still falls far short.

“We have seen with this debate a Westminster failure to support the devolution of powers over tax credits – industrial relations and workers’ rights powers and on the sovereignty of the people of Scotland.

"People should look and learn because if this is the way to bring forward legislation - we don't need it. The Scottish parliament is a 21st century parliament and if ever there was a case put for the Scottish parliament being able to exercise all issues that matter to the people of Scotland - this was it.''