SNP RESPOND TO UK GOVERNMENT CALMAN PROPOSALS

SNP RESPOND TO UK GOVERNMENT CALMAN PROPOSALS

ECONOMIC PROPOSALS ‘A MESSY FUDGE’

DEEPLY CYNICAL AND IRRESPONSIBLE DELAY

SNP Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, today (Wednesday) condemned the UK Government over its cynical proposals to delay taking forward the recommendations of the Calman Commission.

The UK Government today laid out proposals to transfer limited tax raising and borrowing powers to the Scottish Parliament as well as control over airguns and drink driving and speeding limits – but only in the next UK Parliament.

Commenting on the UK Government’s delay in transferring powers over speed limits, drink driving and air guns, Mr Wishart said:

“We have agreement today, why do we not have action today? This delay is a deeply cynical and irresponsible move by the UK Government – putting lives at risk for political advantage.

“There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of the UK Government handing over powers where consensus exists in order to improve the governance of Scotland. Indeed, Kenneth Calman himself said they could be implemented ‘quickly and easily’ without fuss.

“The Scottish Government has made clear it is ready to legislate where agreement exists – and has now laid out a timetable for doing so. It is the UK Labour Government which is stalling progress.”

Commenting on the UK Government’s proposals to transfer certain tax raising and borrowing powers, Mr Wishart added:

“The Calman Commission’s own experts have described these flawed tax proposals as ‘worse than undesirable, they are unworkable’.

“The SNP Government is seeking full fiscal autonomy and with that full responsibility for Scotland’s finances. Anything less risks being a messy fudge which will damage the Scottish economy in the long term.”