Bill will transform Scotland, says Tory

THE completion of the Scotland Bill at Westminster will create the “biggest transformation in Scottish politics” since the creation of the Holyrood parliament, David Mundell will declare today.

The Scottish Secretary will set out his thoughts in a keynote speech in Edinburgh, entitled: The Year of a New Scottish Parliament. Already in Whitehall the transfer of powers has led some to dub the changes “Holyrood 2.0”.

In his speech, Mr Mundell is expected to outline the enhancement of the Scottish Parliament which, because of the greater powers over tax and welfare, will make it one of the most powerful devolved assemblies in the world.

The Scottish Secretary is expected to urge Nicola Sturgeon to be upfront with voters about how, if as expected the SNP does well in May and forms the next government, she and her colleagues will use the new powers to improve the lives of Scottish citizens.

“This bill,” the Conservative Cabinet minister is expected to say, “will see the biggest transformation in Scottish politics since the introduction of the Scottish Parliament.”

Under the new bill the Scottish Parliament will have the power to set rates and bands of income tax from April 2017, keep half of all VAT receipts and be given the ability to top up welfare benefits and create new payments.