Royal assent for Scotland Act

The Scotland Act 2016, which enhances the devolution settlement following the Smith Commission proposals, received royal assent last night.

The Bill completed its remaining parliamentary stages yesterday evening after passing its final stage in the House of Lords earlier this week, and Lindsay Hoyle, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, later announced that the Queen had given her assent to it passing into law.

Additional powers conferred on the Scottish Parliament by the Act include the ability to set income tax rates and thresholds, control over a significant part of the welfare system and a wide range of other measures.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Act met the Government's commitment "to make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world".

He added: "We can now move on from questions about process and May’s Scottish parliamentary elections can be fought on the issues which really matter: how the Scottish Government should best use its extensive new powers for the benefit of the people of Scotland."

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell said the Scottish Parliament had now "come of age". He commented: "It will have power over and responsibility for income tax rates and thresholds. Its spending decisions will become more transparent and taxpayers in Scotland will be able to hold it to account for them. Ministers will be able to design a welfare system they believe best fits the needs of people in Scotland and will be able to put in place the measures needed to pay for it.

"But most of all, Scotland will have a mature Parliament suited to the needs of our country in the 21st century."