Cameron in Scotland for devolution talks with Sturgeon
The two leaders were expected to clash, but the SNP leader says talks were 'constructive'
David Cameron has made his first visit to Scotland since he returned to power and the SNP won a landslide victory in the general election.
After Cameron met Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House in Edinburgh, a spokesperson for the First Minister described the conversation as "constructive and helpful".
Details of the talks have not yet emerged, but further devolution was set to top the agenda. Sturgeon had said before the meeting that it "simply cannot be 'business as usual' when it comes to Westminster's attitude to Scotland."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
She said the proposals set out by the Smith Commission are "a good starting point" but that the election result "showed that people all across Scotland are keen to move beyond the extra powers in identified."
The commission was set up after the three main party leaders made pledges to devolve more powers to Scotland in the final days of the last year's independence referendum campaign. It recommended that powers to set income tax rates and bands in Scotland should be handed over to Holyrood.
However, Sturgeon argues that the Scottish Parliament should also have full control over welfare and employment law, as well as the ability to set the minimum wage and business taxes.
"Scotland expects these powers to be delivered, and I expect the prime minister and his government to recognise the democratic mandate that now exists to deliver them," she said.
Earlier this week, the SNP leader also said that the people of Scotland could demand another independence referendum if Cameron did not agree to her request for more powers, The Times reports.
"I can't impose a referendum against the will of the Scottish people, but nor can David Cameron rule out a referendum against the will of the people. It will be the people who decide," she told Scottish parliament.
But Cameron has made it clear he is not willing to go beyond the proposals set out by the commission. The PM said he that was making the trip north to "underline my commitment to our United Kingdom and Scotland's important place within it".
"That means remaining true to the promise we made to implement the all-party Smith agreement to make Scotland one of the most accountable and powerful devolved parliaments in the world," he said.
Scotland to control billions of pounds of tax and welfare
27 November 2014
Powers to set income tax rates and bands in Scotland are to be handed over to Holyrood in a huge shake-up of the UK's tax system.
Under proposals agreed last night in a cross-party deal, the Scottish parliament will have direct control over billions of pounds of income tax and welfare benefits.
The Labour leadership in London initially resisted the proposal, but finally abandoned its opposition after its poll ratings plummeted in Scotland.
Sources have told the BBC that the personal allowance – the threshold at which tax is paid – and other taxes such as VAT would not be devolved, although a proportion of the VAT revenues raised in Scotland might be assigned to the Scottish budget instead.
The deal was agreed by the Smith Commission, led by Lord Smith of Kelvin and set up after the UK's three main party leaders made pledges to devolve more powers to Scotland in the final days of the Scottish referendum campaign. It was tasked with reaching a broad agreement by St Andrew's Day on 30 November.
The total package is estimated to be worth about £11bn, with reforms including £3bn of welfare powers – such as winter fuel payments, the housing elements of universal credit and carers allowance – as well as air passenger duty.
Alistair Darling, who led the Better Together campaign against independence, had warned in the Financial Times that the move to hand over tax powers will increase borrowing costs for the entire UK and end in "floods of tears".
In England, there has already been a cross-party call from Boris Johnson and the six Labour leaders of English city councils for a comparable devolution process south of the border.
The Daily Telegraph says Scottish MPs are likely to retain full voting rights on UK budgets, despite the transfer of power over Scottish income tax. Labour insiders told the newspaper that stopping Scottish MPs from voting on UK budgets would have "fatally" undermined the Union.
Holyrood may also be put in charge of its own elections, enabling it to give 16 and 17 year olds a vote in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.
The recommendations are not expected to be delivered until after the Westminster election in May 2015. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has previously said that devolution of income tax without control over the personal allowance would be a "serious failure".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fasting to burger buffets: the weird and wonderful diets of politicians
Why Everyone's Talking About Rishi Sunak reportedly starts his week with a 36-hour fast
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published