Smith Commission: Holyrood power plans ‘fall short’

MSPs look on as Lord Smith of Kelvin unveils the Smith Commission report last year. Picture: Alex Hewitt

THE new powers proposed for the Scottish Parliament don’t meet the “spirit or substance” of the Smith Commission report published after the referendum, a cross-party group of MSPs today claimed.

David Cameron has pledged to implement Lord Smith of Kelvin’s proposals in full following the SNP’s election victory - but a Holyrood committee, which includes Lib Dem and Tory MSPs, today said the UK government plans fall short of the original recommendations.

Concerns were raised over proposals for more welfare, income tax, the fiscal framework and Parliamentary oversight in a report by the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee.

The new Scottish Secretary David Mundell is now being urged to reflect on the concerns highlighted during the inquiry.

The three pro-UK parties made a “vow” of more powers for Scotland in the final days of the independence referendum campaign, which spawned the Smith Commission on Devolution following the No vote.

It comes the day before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and David Cameron are due to hold talks in Edinburgh about SNP calls for the new powers to be enhanced.

Nationalist committee convener Bruce Crawford said: “The committee believes that the current proposals do not yet meet the challenge of fully translating the political agreement reached in the Smith Commission into legislation.

“For example, as we heard in our evidence taking, there is no power for the Scottish Parliament to top up reserved benefits despite that being one of the powers highlighted at the time of publication. The committee also seeks reassurance that any new benefits or top-up benefits introduced in Scotland would result in additional income for a recipient.

“The co