Government's Legislative Programme (Scotland)

David Mundell Excerpts

Thursday 28th May 2015 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

Seventeen of the 24 new Government Bills for this Session of Parliament contain provisions that apply to Scotland, either in full or in part.

The Government’s ambitious programme of legislation will help to create jobs and support working people. It will reduce the tax burden on the lowest earners and will ensure there are no rises in VAT or national insurance contributions for the next five years, and no rise in the income tax levels for which the UK Government have responsibility.

Bringing the different parts of the United Kingdom together is a priority for the Government. For Scotland we will meet our commitment to deliver in full the recommendations of the cross-party Smith commission on further devolution. The new Scotland Bill will give the Scottish Parliament wide-ranging new powers, including greater flexibility to make its own decisions and making it more accountable for raising the revenue it spends, while keeping the advantages of being part of the United Kingdom.

Other measures affecting Scotland include a focus on energy security and support for the North sea oil and gas sector and moves to tackle extremism and strengthen counter-terrorism. The legislative programme also includes measures to control immigration and to hold a referendum on membership of the European Union.

This statement provides a summary of the Government’s new legislative programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include draft Bills.

At present the only Bill that triggers the need for a legislative consent motion under the Sewel convention is the Scotland Bill. However, it is possible that the need for consent may arise as Bills are prepared for introduction.

The Government are committed to the principles of the Sewel convention, and we will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government to secure consent for Bills that contain provisions requiring the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

The Bills listed in section 1 will apply to Scotland, either in full or in part, on introduction. Section 2 details Bills that will not apply in Scotland at introduction. In addition to the new Bills listed below there will also be a Finance Bill and the HS2 Bill from the last Session will be taken forward.

Section 1: New legislation applying to the United Kingdom, including Scotland (either in full or in part);

Scotland Bill

Full Employment and Welfare Benefits Bill

Energy Bill

Immigration Bill

Enterprise Bill

Trade Unions Bill

Wales Bill

Northern Ireland (Stormont House Agreement) Bill

EU Referendum Bill

Investigatory Powers Bill

Psychoactive Substances Bill

Extremism Bill

National Insurance Contributions Bill

Bank of England Bill

European Union (Finance) Bill

Votes for Life Bill

Armed Forces Bill

Section 2: New legislation that will not apply in Scotland

Childcare Bill

Housing Bill

Education and Adoption Bill

Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill

Police Reform and Criminal Justice Bill

Buses Bill

Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill

[HCWS1]