A Step Closer to Independence or Simply Strengthening Devolution?

The Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution published its final report this week. The report, encouragingly titled ‘Serving Scotland Better: Scotland and the United Kingdom in the 21st Century’, is the result of over a year of evidence gathering from a wide range of organisations, government bodies and individuals. The Commission has proved controversial on occasion, sparking debate amongst politicians over Scotland’s constitutional future. And having been set up by the UK Government and pro-union opposition parties, the SNP Government has never been particularly supportive of it.

The Calman Commission’s report calls for increased tax powers for the Scottish parliament. It advocates Holyrood becoming accountable for half of the income tax raised in Scotland. The suggestion to increase Scotland’s tax powers has been largely welcomed but there is some question as to whether the powers, if granted, would be used as the Scottish Parliament’s current power to raise or lower the tax rates by 3p hasn’t yet.
Other recommendations include giving Scottish Ministers additional borrowing powers and introducing stronger structures of communication between Westminster and Holyrood, including the suggestion of a regular ‘State of Scotland’ debate in the House of Commons.

Opposition parties have been quick to praise the Calman report. Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray welcomed the “bold and progressive” report, whilst Scottish Conservative Leader Annabel Goldie commented: “I am delighted the report is unanimous and that there is broad agreement on its main principles across the parties and across the border.”

Less enthused about the commission’s conclusions was the Scottish Government, although it did support some of the findings. The Government welcomed Calman’s support for greater borrowing powers, its recognition of North Sea oil revenues and its recommendations to devolve certain individual issues to Holyrood, such as elections organisation and the drink-drive limit. However the Government was quick to argue that the report does not go anywhere near far enough in its proposals. Scottish Constitution Minister Mike Russell voiced their concerns, saying:

“At present, we have a pocket-money parliament. Under the Calman proposals, Scotland would have a Saturday job but the pay would be deducted from our pocket money.”

MSPs will get the chance to discuss the Calman report further, in next week’s parliamentary debate on the subject. The next big move forward however will come from the UK Government, who is reported to be in agreement on many of the commission’s proposals.

Labour officials quoted in the media this week said that they hope to bring in changes in Scotland in the next 10 months. Gordon Brown has already given his support to Calman’s blueprint for Scottish devolution and is expected to include some of the recommendations in his plans for ‘democratic renewal in the UK’.
 

Parliamentary Interpretation

Away from the Calman Commission, the Scottish Government has also been considering the inner workings of the Scottish Parliament. Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford introduced the government’s Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill to parliament earlier this week.

The bill will seek to bring in changes to the parliament’s scrutiny of legislation and the way it deals with certain procedures. Mr Crawford has hailed the bill as bringing necessary changes to the parliamentary system, which was specifically designed to get Holyrood up and running as quickly as possible following devolution. The bill will be scrutinised after MSPs return from the summer recess, which begins at the end of next week.

The Green Revolution

The Scottish Government is continuing to move towards creating a greener Scotland, as it unveiled its Climate Change Delivery Plans earlier this week. The plan, which sets out steps for meeting the government’s ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, focuses on the potential of Scotland’s renewables sector. It includes sections on advancing carbon capture technology, rail electrification and increasing energy efficiency through low carbon heating systems.

Launching the plan, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change echoed the government’s previous statements on energy goals, saying:

"Scotland will soon have the most far reaching climate change legislation in the world. That must be accompanied by action and our Delivery Plan demands action now, tomorrow, and from future generations and future governments.”

The release of the plan comes ahead of next week’s parliamentary debate on stage 3 proceedings for the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill, which has already attracted wide-spread interest amongst MSPs.
 

In this issue

• A Step Closer to Independence or Simply Strengthening Devolution?
• Parliamentary Interpretation
• The Green Revolution

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick Public Affairs is the leading public affairs agency in Scotland with a team of consultants bringing experience from the heart of government, political parties, the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and the private sector.

Working closely with our colleagues in London, Belfast, Manchester, Cardiff and Brussels we can support your work whether you need to communicate to politicians or decision makers in the Scottish Parliament, Westminster, devolved Assemblies or Europe.
 

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