Policy paper

Scotland's Changing information leaflet

Published 9 March 2015

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

A new start

New powers are coming to the Scottish Parliament.

These new powers have been agreed and guaranteed by all five of Scotland’s major political parties.

They’ll make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.

The UK Government is going to change the law so that a range of new powers including new tax, new welfare and new voting powers are held by the Scottish Parliament.

People in Scotland will still have the advantages of being part of a large UK economy, with a UK Pound, UK pensions and UK passports. We will remain citizens of the UK with its strong defences and global influence.

Whatever your age and wherever you live, being part of the United Kingdom means we pool and share our resources.

It also means that the UK’s large and diversified economy will continue to shield Scotland from sudden shocks like the recent fall in oil prices, or the need to rescue banks during the financial crisis. The UK’s strong defence forces also add extra security for families in an uncertain world.

A stronger Parliament. A united future. Built to last.

This booklet

It’s important for us all to know what these new powers are. This booklet spells out the main changes and confirms the things we will continue to benefit from as part of the UK family.

This is all about getting the balance right for Scotland.

If a decision is best made in Scotland, that’s what will happen. And where it’s sensible to share risks and costs with the rest of the UK, to keep us safer and stronger, that will happen too.

We will continue to work together as a United Kingdom to provide more job opportunities, to help those who need it most and to defend all parts of the UK.

These changes will make the Scottish Parliament work better for all of us and our families, throughout our lives.

The early years

mother and baby

Around 150 babies are born every day into a Scotland where the Scottish Parliament is already responsible for Scotland’s NHS and Scotland’s education system. This will not change.

Our children will grow up in a Scotland where Holyrood will raise most of the money it spends, through specific Scottish taxes.

And the UK Government will still pay child benefit to families who need it most.

Young people

teens

New powers mean 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland will be able to vote in Holyrood elections.

Being part of the large UK economy provides great job opportunities for young people in Scotland.

When they travel the world our young people will have a UK passport, entitling them to help from UK embassies.

Work and family life

Family group

The single UK jobs market means Scottish workers can move around the UK, safe in the knowledge that their pension entitlements, work benefits and national insurance will move with them. As part of the UK’s strong recovery, employment in Scotland has increased by 175,000 since 2010.

The Scottish Parliament will set the rates of income tax and control a range of other taxes too. Money raised by the Scottish Parliament will stay in Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament will get around £2.5bn worth of new welfare powers. The UK Government will continue to pay unemployment benefits and guarantee a minimum wage.

working couple

Retirement

retired couple

In retirement, both the UK and Scottish Governments play their part looking after us.

The Scottish Parliament controls the NHS, personal care, prescription and public transport charges.

And wherever we live our pensions are backed by many millions of UK tax-payers.

And finally

shopping

Life brings change and Scotland’s changing too.

New powers are coming that will make the Scottish Parliament one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.

But as part of the UK family of nations, Scotland is part of something bigger too.

A stronger Parliament. A united future. Built to last.

What’s devolved and what’s reserved

Scotland already has a devolved Parliament with powers over things that affect daily life, like health, education and the emergency services.

The new powers the Scottish Parliament is going to have will make it one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.

Once these changes are made the Scottish Parliament’s responsibilities will include:

  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
  • POLICE, COURTS AND PRISONS
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORT
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • SETTING INCOME TAX RATES
  • LOCAL GOVERNMENT
  • HOLYROOD ELECTIONS
  • EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
  • A WIDE RANGE OF BENEFITS
  • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS SUPPORT
  • HOUSING AND PLANNING
  • SPORT AND ARTS
  • AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING
  • SOCIAL WORK

The UK Parliament will still be responsible for areas where Scotland benefits from a UK-wide approach. These include:

  • FOREIGN POLICY
  • DEFENCE
  • NATIONAL SECURITY
  • MACRO ECONOMIC POLICY
  • FINANCIAL POLICY
  • CURRENCY
  • PENSIONS
  • UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
  • CHILD BENEFIT
  • ENERGY
  • IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY
  • INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our united future. Built to last.

This is a new start for Scotland, with new powers.

Find out more or ask your questions at www.OurUnitedFuture.tumblr.com

Or post your opinion on Facebook or Twitter using #OurUnitedFuture

hand with money