Wednesday, October 15, 2014

British Government Lays out Path Forward for Scottish Devolution

The British government on Monday formally outlined a timetable to grant more autonomy to Scotland, following accusations that it would not deliver on promises made in the run-up to last month's independence referendum.

In a report, ministers promised "the publication of draft clauses in January 2015" for new legislation that would grant the devolved parliament in Edinburgh far greater powers on taxation and social welfare.

The powers were offered in the final days of the referendum campaign to persuade Scots to vote against independence, after opinion polls indicated the nationalists might win. Scottish voters ultimately opted to stay in Great Britain.

"The government is meeting the first step in the further devolution process," Scotland minister Alistair Carmichael told the British parliament, where he presented the report.

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