Scotland could get new powers early, suggests Scottish secretary David Mundell

The new devolved powers for Scotland could be in place early in the next Scottish parliament session, Scottish secretary David Mundell has suggested.

The UK Government minister was speaking to MSPs of the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee last night after an agreement had been reached between the two governments over the fiscal framework to underpin the settlement.

He said the Scotland Bill would still need to be ratified by both parliaments, but he could see "no impediment" to an early transfer of powers, meaning MSPs can begin to plan for how to use new tax and welfare powers.

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"My envisaged timetable is that, subject obviously to parliament bringing forward its legislative consent motion and the Bill proceeding to Royal Assent ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections, a number of the powers will be in place almost immediately after the Scottish Parliament elections.

"One of the other tax powers for example, Air Passenger Duty, can be transferred at the point that the Scottish government has its model ready for that transfer.

"If the arrangements are available shortly after the Scottish Parliament election we would be able to transfer them. In relation to the wider powers and the wider tax, we place no impediment in relation to the transfer of those powers."

Mundell will outline the plans to MPs later.