Scottish Government to be granted new welfare powers

Nicola Sturgeon will get the power to create a Scottish welfare state. Picture: Neil Hanna

Nicola Sturgeon will get the power to create a Scottish welfare state within weeks, the Scotsman can reveal.

Tomorrow the Scottish Secretary will lay new welfare powers before the House of Commons that will fast track Holyrood’s ability to create new benefits.

The powers will be in place when MSPs return to Holyrood in September after their summer break.

Around 50 staff from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are working on the devolution programme.

One DWP insider said: “The commencement order is ready and some of the powers can be handed over quickly.

“That includes the power to create new benefits. Powers over existing benefits, such as Disability Benefit, will take a lot longer.”