Brown calls for Tories to support radical devolution plans for Scotland

Ahead of two scheduled debates about Scotland, due to take place in the House of Commons on Tuesday and Thursday, Gordon Brown has called for the creation of a ‘powerhouse’ Scottish Parliament – which would be in charge of raising 54% of its own revenue.

Browns proposals would mean the money Scottish Parliament would have to raise would go from the current amount of £4billion to £18 billion by 2016.

Both Labour and the Conservative leadership submitted their proposals to the Smith Commission – the process spearheading the Scottish devolution programme following the referendum – on Friday. After reviewing these proposals, Brown said that as it stands, the Tories “have still to support about half of the power that Labour proposes to devolve.”

Labour’s proposals to the Smith Commission would put Scottish Parliament in charge of job creation, infrastructure, land use, social care, housing and rail. Consequently, Brown is urging the Tories to change their proposals to include extending Scottish Parliament’s powers to cover of the Work Programme, borrowing, rail services, the Crown Estates and the enforcement of health and safety regulations and equalities legislation.

Brown also suggested that the Scottish Parliament wouldn’t rely on one tax (but would keep income tax as a shared UK tax), floating the idea of adding 50% of VAT revenues.

He has also criticised the SNP’s plans, saying “fiscal autonomy would mean no transfers of resources within the UK, ending UK pensions, ending UK help for Scots when unemployed, ending UK support for Scottish health and education – all of which Scots on September 18^th voted to keep.  It would also end the Barnett formula to which all pro-devolution parties have committed. Their plan adds up to separation by another route.”

As one of the most prominent voices in the Scottish referendum ‘No’ campaign, and a strong proponent of devolution, Brown has fully supported Labour’s plans:

“I believe our proposals, which reflect what was promised before September 18, show how strong the new Parliament could be. It will be a powerhouse Parliament with major new roles including powers relating to job creation, infrastructure, land use, social care, housing and rail. Indeed under these proposals the Scottish Parliament will have powers to rival those of states in many federal constitutions.  My proposals to devolve most but not all of income tax are robust. This means that the Union will stay in line with the vote of the Scottish people.”

Brown will also submit a petition to Parliament next week, which calls on the government to honour its promise to give Scottish Parliament more powers.