SNP unveils blueprint for new powers

The Scottish Government will today outline how it intends to use new powers over stamp duty and landfill tax, which are being devolved to Holyrood.

During a debate in parliament, ministers will reveal how the new powers, which are being handed over from Westminster, will be deployed in Scotland.

The transfer of stamp duty and landfill tax from London were key parts of the Scotland Bill, which was recently passed at Westminster and represents the largest shift in power north of the Border since devolution. The new powers come into force in 2015.

The Scottish Government has faced calls to use the powers to stimulate the property market.

Yesterday, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “The Scottish Government is always calling for more powers. Well here is one they have just been given. They need to get cracking.

“I am urging them to put the wheels into motion with these new stamp duty powers, and use this opportunity to shape Scotland’s future for the better.

“Only this week we have seen how the stamp duty holiday has fuelled property sales across the UK. This shows the potential power of the tax to influence behaviour and achieve results.

“There would be the opportunity to have lower tax on property brought back into use, or built on brown-field sites, instead of development in the green belt.

“Or the Scottish Government could choose to put the tax into different bands depending how environmentally-friendly a building is. That could help improve energy standards and cut down the number of poorly insulated homes.