Late last year, I found myself
writing on the Smith Commission report for Week in Scotland and last week I
reported on the the draft bill arising from the commission with a feeling of déjà vu.
A new Scotland Act
The command paper to further devolve powers to Scotland published, by
the Westminster government, sets out a timetable and a commitment to
further devolution. This command paper will now be subject to
consultation and will become one of the first bills for the new
government in May. The Prime Minister said it will become law whatever
the outcome of the general election due to the agreement all of the main
Scottish Political Parties.
One of the main constitutional principles is to enshrine the permanency
of the Scottish Parliament and Government in law. The paper includes
draft legislation to enact the Smith Commission recommendations
including the power to set income tax bands, welfare provisions,
borrowing powers and air passenger duty.
Areas which will remain reserved include employment legislation, pensions and much of the benefits system.
The
Scottish Government stated the proposals did not give total powers to
Scotland as agreement would have to be reached with Westminster before
changes on welfare could be implemented but inevitably there were
complaints from MPs that too much power was being devolved without the
promised changes on the English legislative process. However, that will
be an argument for the new government and if the SNP hold the balance of
power, they will seek to enhance devolved powers.
It therefore, was surprising and strange that at First Minsters
question time, the opposition leaders continued with prepared questions
on the NHS and property tax, leaving it to the Liberal Democrats to
commend the draft bill.
It was also slightly farcical that the Devolved (Further Powers)
committee was taking evidence from business leaders as the bill was been
published. They called for caution in using devolved powers to increase
taxes as companies could move headquarters south of the border.
However, they did say that different economic policies were required to
increase research and development and that the UK immigration system was
devised for the south east whereas in Scotland they wanted graduates to
be allowed to stay.
Creative Industries
The Economy committee is presently conducting a review of the economic
impact of the creative industries. The Film representatives who give
evidence were critical of the lack of ambition of Creative Scotland in
bringing films and TV productions to Scotland. In particular the loss of
Game of Thrones to Northern Ireland however, they neglected to mention
that the American series Outlander was brought to Scotland and consumed
much of the production resources. So what is the difference between these two series, one is specifically set in Scotland and received support from Creative Scotland whereas the other isn't and didn't. It seems showing off our landscape to millions is less important than brand Scotland, a parochial approach that leaves our TV and film insiders dumbfounded. Those from the TV and film industries in giving evidence lamented the lack of studio facilities and stated that Scotland has fallen behind other areas in the UK including Northern Ireland who gained Game of Thrones.
This week Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and HIE will give evidence and they may need armour.
Based on my original article published by
Public Affair's Network.
