Our evidence is based on the proposals made by the UK Government to change the manner in which the devolved administration is funded as set out in the Command Paper ‘Strengthening Scotland’s Future’. In our evidence we do not comment on the merits of the UK Government’s proposals for financing devolved spending in comparison to …
Category Archives: Campaign News
Fiscal responsibility is the mark of a self-confident nation
Should we be fearful or fearless about transferring more financial power from Westminster to Holyrood? Do we as a nation have the self-confidence to take more responsibility, not only for our finances but for shaping the kind of country we want to live in? The political classes have already drawn battle lines in the great …
Labour claims about SNP are just wishful thinking
Joan McAlpine – ‘It should also be remembered that the model (of fiscal responsibility) favoured by the SNP leadership, drawn up by economists Andy Hughes Hallett and Drew Scott, is a radical one, devolving all taxes except VAT. Perhaps it is not full-blown independence, but it is hardly a timid proposal.
Calman’s proposals a compromise that offers no incentives
Is Calman on track to be the next Edinburgh tram? There is a real danger that in a couple of years’ time we will look back on the Calman Commission’s proposals for extending Scottish devolution in the same way that we now view the Edinburgh Trams project. My fear is that Calman will be another …
Scotland and fiscal responsibility
Letter to the Editor of The Times Sir, John McTernan (Commentary Times Scotland 29th July 2010) claims that Scottish public services cost substantially more to provide than Scotland generates in tax and that this undermines the case for fiscal responsibility. However, the Government figures to which he refers (the Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland, …
Definition of Scots taxpayer under Calman plans undecided
Treasury Minister David Gauke has admitted that the definition of a Scottish taxpayer under plans to give Scotland tax-raising powers has still to be settled. He said deciding whether people employed by Scottish companies working in England, or vice-versa, paid their taxes to Scotland or Westminster was “one of the first questions we need to …
Calman Will Deepen Scots Economic Misery
In May, the new coalition in Westminster pledged to implement the long-delayed Calman Commission recommendations for the Scottish Government. The Calman report, originally published in June 2009, was sat on by New Labour, but now its recommendations for Holyrood seem certain to be introduced within the coming months. The most eye-catching feature of Calman’s proposals is in …
Opinion: The true cost of Calman
No one can expect to escape the effect of the huge cuts in UK Government spending set in train by last week’s emergency Budget. But in Scotland, if the much-vaunted Calman proposals are adopted, the impact is bound to be even more severe. The cuts will certainly result in a significant reduction in the block …
Fiscal responsibility will bring power closer to the people
Geoff Mawdsley, Director of Reform Scotland – The Scotsman Far from the devolution of further fiscal powers being a ‘distraction’, [Tom Miers Scotsman 15/7/10], it is a fundamental part of a liberalising programme of reform that brings power closer to people. Reform Scotland has consistently advocated this approach because it is the key to a …
Why the fiscal crisis boosts the case for more tax powers
Our arguments are driven by straightforward economic logic – not ideology.