Labour vows new powers for Holyrood after poll win

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 08:35

LABOUR today pledged that if it wins the general election it will hand new powers to Holyrood in time for the next Scottish Parliament elections in 2011.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy was due to unveil the package of extra powers, based on the recommendations of the cross-party Calman commission, in the Commons this afternoon.

They were expected to include new tax powers and responsibility over airguns, speed limits and drink-driving limits.

Mr Murphy confirmed there was no chance of any legislation ahead of the general election expected next spring.

But he said: "We will, as soon as possible in the next parliament, if Labour is re-elected, introduce a new Scotland Bill to give effect to these Calman recommendations we are signing up to today with a view to having them in place in the next Scottish Parliament."

However, the SNP, which plans to publish its own independence blueprint next week, claimed that there was nothing to stop immediate action on transferring powers from Westminster to Holyrood.