SNP ‘will make most of its powers’

THE SNP will use each and every new power coming to the Scottish Parliament, John Swinney has said.

A financial deal underpinning new powers for Scotland has yet to be agreed, however, the Deputy First Minister said he was planning to use new responsibilities “to the fullest” in line with a “progressive vision for Scotland”.

The Finance Secretary said his party enters 2016 with a strong track record in Government and said both Labour and the Tories were set to spend the year in “increasingly bitter internal disputes”.

He declined to alter income tax rates in his recent budget, when any increases or reductions would have been spread equally among all ratepayers.

However, full control of income tax rates and bands are set to under Holyrood’s control by 2017, under more far-reaching powers recommended by the Smith Commission. Some welfare powers are also to be transferred to Edinburgh.