Bill will benefit Scotland, say ministers – in face of SNP fury
SCOTLAND is in line for a windfall of critical road and rail improvements after Brexit, UK ministers claimed yesterday.
Upgrades to key routes will be funded via the Internal Market Bill, allowing the UK Government to invest in devolved areas.
But the Bill sparked a major row between the UK and Scottish Governments yesterday amid SNP claims it was a ‘power grab’ because it gives Westminster powers over areas which are devolved to Holyrood.
Tory ministers insist it will bolster devolution and allows powers held by the European Union to transfer to the UK
Government to ensure there are not trade barriers between different parts of the UK.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: ‘Far from assaulting devolution, we are embracing and bolstering it.
‘We are taking powers and money out of the hands of Brussels and giving it back to the people you truly elect.
‘This is not a power grab, but a power surge for the devolved administrations.’
At present the European Union sets regulations for issues such as food standards and animal welfare regulations and the Scottish Government manages those powers locally.
The Internal Market Bill sets out how these regulation powers will transfer from Brussels to Westminster, and also sets out how the UK Government will secure ‘financial assistance’ powers, which allow it to spend money in devolved areas including infrastructure, cultural activities and events.
In the Commons yesterday, Nationalist MP Mhairi Black claimed the Bill was ‘dismantling devolution’.
But Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: ‘We are strengthening devolution, we are bringing a power surge to Scotland – more than 100 new powers.
‘We are not taking a single power away, and I invite the honourable lady to name one that we are. I say that we are the party that backs devolution. The SNP is the party that wants to destroy devolution by leaving the United Kingdom.’
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said at Prime Minister’s Questions that the Bill was ‘nothing short of an attack on Scotland’s Parliament and an affront to the people of Scotland’.
But Boris Johnson said the attacks were ‘totally illogical’ because the Bill is ‘a massive devolutionary act’. As the exchanges concluded, Tory MPs shouted ‘withdraw’ as they accused Mr Blackford of labelling Mr Johnson a ‘liar’.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: ‘Prime Minister I’m sure the leader of the SNP would like to withdraw that last comment of being a liar, no honourable member would do that, would you please withdraw it.’
Mr Blackford said: ‘It’s on the face of the Bill that the Government of the UK is going to trample over devolution, that is not a lie.’
Nicola Sturgeon branded the plans an ‘abomination’. She said: ‘The UK Government are not only set to break international law – it is clear they are now set to break devolution.
‘This is not a power grab’ ‘Party that backs devolution’
‘The Tories’ proposed Bill for a so-called UK internal market is an abomination. It is a naked power grab which would cripple devolution.’
Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Dean Lockhart said: ‘The Bill is essential to protect and secure the 545,000 jobs across Scotland that depend on trade with the rest of the UK.
‘The SNP are opposed to this bill because they want to split up the UK market at all costs, even though it would have devastating consequences for Scottish jobs.
‘We will continue to scrutinise... the limited steps the UK Government have proposed to ensure that commitments made to the people of Northern Ireland are upheld. However, the UK Government have been very clear they hope these changes will not be required.’