QUEEN'S SPEECH SHOULD CONTAIN REAL POWERS FOR SCOTLAND

QUEEN'S SPEECH SHOULD CONTAIN REAL POWERS FOR SCOTLAND

FULL FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY NEEDED FOR SCOTTISH GROWTH

Commenting ahead of the Queen's speech tomorrow and following differing reports as to whether tax powers for the Scottish Parliament will be included in the Coalition Government's legislative programme the SNP repeated the party's call for the Scottish Parliament to take full responsibility for taxation and spending in Scotland.

The SNP is urging the new Tory-Liberal coalition to support full fiscal powers for Holyrood and to transfer those powers as soon as possible instead of sticking with Labour's limited and potentially damaging proposals in the Calman Commission report.

SNP MSP and Finance Committee member Linda Fabiani said:

"The new Liberal-Tory government has the opportunity tomorrow to put real powers for Scotland on the table.

"There is a growing consensus in Scotland that the powers needed to stimulate growth and build our economy are full responsibility for taxation and spending not the limited and damaging plans of the Calman Commission.

"Building up the Scottish economy is key to cutting Labour's deficit and today's cuts announcement from Westminster highlights the need for the Scotland to take full control of our own financial affairs.

"With full responsibility over taxation and spending the Scottish Parliament could build a system that supports Scotland's jobs and businesses and allows Scotland's economy to flourish instead of suffering cuts at the hands of others.

"The tax proposals from the Calman Commission are already out of date and have always been unfit for purpose. Devised by Labour to keep Scotland in check the new Government now has the opportunity to reject Calman's plans and put forward real financial powers for the Scottish Parliament."