Scotland within the UK Public Law I PDF

PUBLIC LAW I – SOURCES OF POWER Scotland within the UK Dr Tarik Olcay University of Dundee Week 9  LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain the nature of devolution to Scotland Describe the framework in which Scottish devolution has been created and reformed ...

PUBLIC LAW I – SOURCES OF POWER Scotland within the UK Dr Tarik Olcay University of Dundee Week 9  LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain the nature of devolution to Scotland Describe the framework in which Scottish devolution has been created and reformed  THE SCOTLAND ACT The Scotland Act 1998 Precursor  White paper on Scotland’s Parliament Reinforced the Act of Union 1707; but also reinforces parliamentary sovereignty Details the following: Establishes Scottish Parliament Formation of Government (parliamentary model based on the Westminster system) Scottish Administration How disputes will be settled Listed the matters reserved for Westminster with all other matters being devolved to the Scottish Parliament – reserved powers model Could it be considered a written constitution for Scotland?  THE SCOTLAND ACT The Scotland Act 2012 Devolved more powers (air weapons, borrowing powers, drink driving alcohol limits, Stamp Duty Land Tax) The 2014 Independence Referendum: ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ Result: 55.3% No; 44.7% Yes The Scotland Act 2016 – made a number of significant changes: Rates and bands of income tax Air passenger duty and assignment of VAT revenues More responsibility regarding welfare policy and delivery Oil and gas extraction; road signage More powers for Scottish Parliament on its powers and procedures Increased financial accountability of Scottish Parliament Put the Sewel Convention on statutory footing DEVOLUTION TO SCOTLAND Citizens’ Guide to Scottish Dev olution