Transfer of Further Powers to Scotland — Financial Arrangements — 3 Feb 2016 at 18:55

The majority of MPs voted for the publication of minutes of negotiations between the Scottish and UK Governments on the financial arrangements for further devolution to Scotland; for the arrangements to be agreed before the Scottish Parliament elections; and against a commitment to the principle that neither the UK or Scottish governments should suffer financially from policy decisions made by the other.

MPs were debating the following motion:

• That this House
• notes the ongoing negotiations between the Scottish and UK Governments in the Joint Exchequer Committee on a revised fiscal framework to accompany the Scotland Bill;
• regrets that, despite both Governments repeatedly stating that the negotiation of a revised fiscal framework would be concluded by autumn last year, no agreement has been reached;
• further regrets the complete lack of transparency with which negotiations have been conducted;
• notes that, until agreement is reached, the measures in the Scotland Bill will not be implemented and the substantial new powers it contains will not be deployed for the benefit of the Scottish people;
• believes that both the UK and Scottish Governments have a duty to ensure that the negotiation of a revised fiscal framework which is fair to Scotland is completed in time for the Scotland Bill to be approved by the Scottish Parliament prior to its dissolution, so that it can use its current and future powers for the benefit of the people of Scotland; and
• calls on the UK Government to publish all minutes and papers from the Joint Exchequer Committee negotiations, and to assure the House that every effort is being made to ensure that agreement on a revised fiscal framework is reached, and the Scotland Bill is passed, prior to the Scottish Parliament elections.

This vote was on the following amendment:

• leave out from “accompany the Scotland Bill” to end and add:
• notes that the Smith Commission recommended that a fiscal framework be agreed between the UK and Scottish Governments on the basis that the Barnett Formula be maintained and that Scotland would be no worse or better off simply as a result of the transfer of additional powers;
• notes the clear statement by the Scottish Government that it will not recommend any fiscal framework to the Scottish Parliament that breaches the Smith Commission recommendations and which locks in a long-term financial disadvantage to Scotland;
• supports the efforts of the Scottish Government to secure a fair arrangement; and
• urges the UK Government to commit to the principle of no detriment so that a fair framework for the transfer of powers can be agreed and that the people of Scotland can benefit from the additional devolution of powers that they were promised by the UK Government following the referendum on Scottish independence in September 2014.”

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• [1] "Scotland Bill: No detriment principle 'is unworkable'" - BBC News, 21 January 2016

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