Scotland Act passed at Westminster

The legislation setting out new powers for Holyrood has been passed in the House of Commons.

The Scotland Act, which grew out of the cross-party Smith Commission for further powers, will give Scotland more responsibility over taxes and benefits, after the Queen gave the legislation Royal Assent.

It represents the compromise made after UK party leaders made a ‘vow’ to give Scotland more autonomy before the referendum on independence in 2014.

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The bill was been amended several times and scrutinised by the House of Lords and Scottish Parliament, and could only be passed once a fiscal framework for how Scotland is funded was agreed between the Treasury and the Scottish Government.

The passing of the act was “significant” said Scottish secretary David Mundell.

“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,” he said.

Scottish Labour said the debate must move on from the constitution to what the Scottish Parliament must do with the powers. Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray 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 SNP said the act was “progress” but that the devolution process was “crumbs from the table” from Westminster.

Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone said the package wasn’t everything her party had asked for, but allowed Holyrood to take a different approach to Westminster.

"It is important that Holyrood takes the opportunity to be bold with the proposed new powers and deliver Scottish solutions to the challenges we face," she said.