Vote call over tax reforms

FORMER Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth wants a referendum before Scotland is given new tax powers.

The Tory peer claimed "botched" reforms to give the Scottish Parliament more control were being swept in without any regard for the "damaging" effect they would have on the economy.

He plans to table amendments to the Scotland Bill in the House of Lords for a nationwide Scottish referendum on the transfer of tax powers to Holyrood.

He said: "What is being proposed here is the right to set the basic rate of tax and the rate of tax at the higher rate, and also the right to set stamp duty.

"That is a huge extension and if it was right for the modest tax-raising powers to be put to a referendum, then it must be right that there is a referendum on these powers as well."