Mundell: “Devolution is working well”

The UK Government today handed over the last of the powers which the Scotland Act 2016 transfers to the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell welcomed the significant landmark which means Holyrood can now legislate in every area where the Scotland Act 2016 has given it power to do so – reinforcing its standing as ‘one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world’.

The Act, delivered the recommendation of the cross-party Smith Commission , which was established following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Significant powers already devolved to the Scottish Parliament include £12 billion worth of income tax and £2.9 billion worth of welfare.

The Scottish Secretary said: “In the 2014 independence referendum Scotland voted decisively to remain in the UK and the UK Government has respected that decision by honouring our commitment to deliver further powers for the Scottish Parliament on the recomendations of the Smith Commission.

“As a passionate supporter of devolution I was proud to lead the Scotland Act 2016 through the UK Parliament to Royal Assent. It is a truly significant milestone that all sections of the Act are now in force, reinforcing Holyrood’s position as one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.

“More than 20 years on from the first Scotland Act gaining Royal Assent in 1998, devolution is working well. So I urge the Scottish Government to take the threat of another, divisive, independence referendum off the table and work with us in exercising their extensive powers for the good of Scotland.”

Section 27 of the Scotland Act 2016 devolves legislative competence to the Scottish Parliament for Welfare Foods schemes. The UK and Scottish Governments are working together to agree on a timescale for the transfer of powers relating to these schemes.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell is in Iceland today on a short visit to build trade links between the country and Scotland.

As the UK prepares to leave the EU, Mr Mundell will use his visit to Iceland to strengthen and grow Scotland-Iceland business relationships.

Mr Mundell will visit biotech company Ossur, the HB Grandi Fish processing plant and the University of Iceland. He will also meet the Icelandic fishing minister. The Secretary of State will be the guest of honour at an LGBT diversity reception at the British Embassy in Reykjavík, celebrating the UK and Iceland’s shared commitment to LGBT rights.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Mundell said: “As the UK prepares to leave the EU, it is vital that we do all we can to promote trade with partners, both old and new, around the world.

“Scotland and Iceland have strong cultural, academic and economic connections, and I look forward to building on these with my trip this week. I will be promoting Scottish business and skills – particularly in fishing and biotech – and I hope we will be able to further develop those relationships in the future.”

The UK and Iceland are significant partners, with trade between the two countries worth around £1.5 billion in the year to September 2018, and Icelandic companies have a number of high-tech and asset investments in the UK. In addition, both Scotland and Iceland have strong fishing and fish processing industries.

Iceland and the UK share a number of international interests, including on security, climate change and human rights. Some 320,000 UK nationals visit Iceland every year, including on direct flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh.