PM's "stronger" devolution pledge

16/06/2009

Labour hope to act quickly on Calman Commission's report

Big changes to the UK's constitutional settlement could happen before the next general election.

The Unionist coalition hopes to transform Scotland's financial structure following the publication of the much-anticipated Calman Commission, which recommended giving Holyrood the power to cut income tax, and have direct control over £9 billion in new Scotland-specific domestic taxes.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear his desire to push ahead with reform, declaring: "It sets out the way forward for Scottish devolution...stronger devolution within a stronger Union."

Labour will hope seizing the agenda will steal the march on the SNP and head off support for independence.

Sir Kenneth Calman also made it clear the proposals have the strong backing of No.10 and Chancellor Alistair Darling, and suggested the only delay to immediate reform may be the complexity of implementing some of the changes.