VOW DELIVERED
Westminster completes final transfer of powers to Scotland five years in the making
THE pre-referendum Vow of more powers being given to Holyrood will officially be delivered in full today.
The transfer of control from Westminster over a scheme providing nutritious food to children from deprived backgrounds will mark the completion of a process started by an iconic Daily Record front page.
The UK leaders of the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems promised to devolve significant powers to Holyrood if there was a No vote in the 2014 independence referendum.
The promise became a key part of the campaign.
The details were ultimately hammered out in the cross-party Smith Commission, which saw all parties agree to the terms. Today’s transfer of legislative control of the Welfare Food scheme, under Section 27 of the Scotland Act 2016, draws a line under a massive shift in the balance of power.
A total of £12billion of income tax and £2.9billion worth of welfare powers have been devolved since the Scotland Act 2016 was signed into law. Scottish Secretary David Mundell welcomed the news. He said: “It’s a significant milestone that all sections of the Act are now in force, reinforcing Holyrood’s position as one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Devolving powers for Welfare Food schemes will help improve support for families on the lowest incomes to access a healthy diet.
“Our replacement scheme Best Start Foods will start this summer, increasing payments to those who need it from £3.10 to £4.25.
“This demonstrates the benefits to people in Scotland when decisions are taken here and not by the UK Government.”