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Scottish Government sets out Smith priorities.

More powers on key areas should be devolved to Scotland as soon as possible, Deputy First Minister John Swinney set out yesterday. 

In a statement to Parliament responding to the report from the Smith Commission on further devolution, Mr Swinney set out three principles which must be applied to implementing the recommendations of the Smith Commission:

• The UK Government should work jointly with the Scottish government on producing legislation for January 2015; 
• The UK Government should act in good faith ahead of further devolution and transfer welfare programmes as they currently are; 
• Early action should be taken where legislation is not required and in three key areas:

o Votes for 16 and 17 year olds, 
o Devolution of Air Passenger Duty, 
o Work Programme.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“While we were disappointed that the Smith Commission does not give the Scottish Parliament the range of powers we believe it needs, this Government wants to make rapid progress in implementing the recommendations of the Smith report.

“First, the UK and Scottish Governments must work jointly in producing the draft clauses due to be published by the end of January.

“I made that offer in the Smith Commission and the First Minister has written to the Prime Minister to offer the Scottish Government’s full participation.

“We also believe that where possible both governments should take early action on devolution and on tackling key areas of concern.

“The most pressing is early action to secure the powers for this Parliament to enfranchise 16 and 17 years olds in time for the 2016 election. Similarly early legislative action could be taken to devolve Air Passenger Duty and the Work Programme and to transfer powers on gender equality.

“Both governments should also start preparing in good faith for the transfer of the powers identified in Lord Smith’s report.

“The UK Government should not take any steps that would constrain our freedom to come to our own decisions. The most obvious example of this is the changes to disability payments due to come into force and the impact that will have on both welfare policy and welfare funding. To devolve powers over disability benefits only after they have been subject to Westminster cuts would be a breach of faith with the Smith commission.”