Scottish devolution powers 'watered down', claims SNP

Westminster's plans to hand new powers to Scotland have been "significantly watered down", according to the Scottish National Party.

The UK government published its proposals for new Scottish Parliament powers today, following the No vote in Scotland's independence referendum last September.

In the days before the vote, party leaders from Whitehall vowed to give Holyrood more powers if Scots voted against full independence, but the SNP is less than satisfied with their draft proposals.

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Under the new legislation, Scottish Parliament would control around 60 per cent of spending in Scotland, giving it a range of choices over its own political policies.

"Major new powers" will be introduced for income tax, VAT and air passenger duty, as well as some areas of welfare, such as employment schemes and benefits that affect carers and disabled people.

David Cameron, who visited Scotland today for the first time since the referendum, said: "The leaders of the other main political parties and I promised extensive new powers for the Scottish Parliament – a vow – with a clear process and timetable.

"And now here we have it: new powers for Scotland, built to last, securing our united future."

He declared that, as a result, Scotland is set to have one of the "most powerful devolved parliaments in the world".

Future Scottish parliaments will be able to set thresholds and rates for the main income tax, and that revenue will remain north of the border. The Scottish Parliament will also be able to reduce the voting age to 16 for Scottish Parliament and Scottish local government elections.

The Scottish functions of the British Transport Police and licensing of onshore oil and gas extraction will also be devolved.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the legislation "does represent some progress" but argued that too many of the key powers, such as the ability to abolish the so-called bedroom tax, were subject to a veto by UK ministers, reports BBC.