Policy paper

Scotland Bill 2015 - legislation and explanatory notes

The Scotland Bill will turn the historic all party Smith Agreement into legislation.

Documents

Scotland Bill 2015 - Explanatory notes

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Details

The Scotland Bill 2015 was introduced to Parliament on May 28, 2015.

The bill can be read on the Parliament website.

The Bill will make the Scottish Parliament one fo the world’s most powerful devolved parliaments and allow more decisions affecting Scotland to be taken in Scotland. It will increase the financial responsibility of the Scottish Parliament, and its accountability to the Scottish public.

The package contains significant financial powers, including over income tax and VAT, the devolution of substantial elements of the welfare system and a range of other powers, including constitutional powers and powers in areas such as oil and gas and transport.

Along with a more powerful and accountable Scottish Parliament, Scotland will also retain the huge benefits of being part of a strong United Kingdom with a large UK economy, a UK pound, UK pensions and UK armed forces – just as the Scottish people made clear they wanted in last year’s referendum.

The following documents are also relevant to the Bill:

Published 28 May 2015