2.5 million Scottish households to receive leaflet explaining devolution changes
A leaflet explaining the changes to devolution as the UK Government prepares to transfer powers to Holyrood will begin arriving through letterboxes in Scotland this week.
The 8-page Scotland’s Changing leaflet (see below) will explain the new powers as well as the benefits people in Scotland retain as part of the UK, including the pound, pensions and passports.
It will be sent to every one of the 2.5 million households across the country.
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The leaflet clearly explains which powers will be devolved and reserved following the Smith Commission and the earlier Scotland Act 2012. Powers going to the Scottish Parliament include income tax, some elements of welfare and choices over new taxes such as Airport Passenger Duty and Stamp Duty.
The Smith Commission recommended action to raise public awareness of devolution and this is part of the UK Government’s response to that challenge.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said:
“Scotland is changing for the better, with new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament.
These powers will have an impact on every person living in Scotland and it is important that we all know what they are and what they mean for us.
From Monday, households across Scotland will receive a leaflet, direct to their door – and that leaflet will spell out the facts.
The Scottish Parliament will soon be given power over the rates of income tax, welfare provision with a starting budget of more than £2.5 billion, and the ability to give the vote to 16 and 17 year olds in Holyrood and local government elections.
Alongside borrowing powers, and continued control over health, education, housing, public transport and so much more, the Scottish Parliament is set to become one of the most powerful devolved parliaments not just in Europe, but in the entire world.
At the same time, Scotland will keep the many benefits which come as part of the UK. We’ll keep our UK pound, our UK passport and our UK pensions. We’ll also continue to benefit from a single jobs market, a single defence system and a single, strong and fast-growing UK economy.
This is good news for Scotland. A united future, built to last.”
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I received my copy at lunchtime – it was neatly wrapped inside a ‘Ten Reasons to vote Labour’ mailout, a letter about the council tax – and a nice leaflet from a local undertaker inviting me to sign up to a Funeral Plan …!
Lol. That will be Labour continuing the positivity of their referendum campaign…?
These powers are not what were promised. Just days before the referendum we had wall to wall coverage in the Scottish media telling us we were going to have federalism. The unionist parties had seen Yes take the lead in the polls and this was their last gasp attempt for a No vote. All polls showed for years that Devo Max, or Federalism, was the most popular option. So this is what was being offered. We had live coverage of Gordon Browns speech promising federalisation on the BBC, we had the Vow and the rest of the newspapers printing promises from the unionist parties that Devo Max WOULD be delivered. Devo Max is EVERYTHING being devolved to Holyrood except defence and foreign affairs. What is being implemented is nowhere near Devo Max. It is a slap in the face for the majority of people who wanted it. Many experts are saying these new powers could actually damage Scotland. If you give Holyrood responsibility in various areas without have levers to affect other areas then it could harm our economy. Now… what is going to happen in May?!