The SNP have tabled a series of amendments to the Scotland Bill seeking to devolve responsibility for Scotland’s finances to the Scottish Parliament.

The amendments would pave the way for the Scottish Parliament to take responsibility for a number of important economic levers including levels of tax and borrowing powers. The SNP believe this would provide greater policy opportunities to promote sustainable economic growth in Scotland.

SNP MPs also lodged amendments to reinstate the devolution of Air
Passenger Duty and the Aggregates Levy, as recommended by the Calman Commission.

The first day of the Scotland Bill will take place on Monday 7th March with two further days of discussion on the financial aspects of the Bill on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th of March.

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

“The Scotland Bill will be a missed opportunity if it does not support
jobs and growth across Scotland. As it currently stands, the Bill does neither.

"Extremely limited borrowing powers mean the Scottish Government cannot effectively invest in long term building projects to stimulate the Scottish economy. The half-baked tax trap put forward by Calman will see Scotland lose billions in coming years.

“Since 2007, the SNP Scottish Government has been making full use of the powers available to it to steer the Scottish economy through the recession and that’s worked – the downturn was shorter and Scotland is the only nation in the UK with rising employment and falling unemployment.

"Devolving full financial responsibility would allow the Scottish
Parliament to go further, secure more jobs and target support at key sectors. That is why the SNP have tabled these amendments.

“The UK Government keeps making the wrong decisions for Scotland. The VAT rise which squeeze household budgets, a base closure program which will reduce uniformed personnel in Scotland by 25% and no relief from sky high fuel prices are all making life difficult for Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Parliament could make the right decisions for Scotland.”