Beyond Smith – Scottish Government proposals for more powers for the Scottish Parliament
In Beyond Smith the Scottish Government outlines priority areas for further devolution of powers, beyond the recommendations of the Smith Commission. These are:
- employment policy, including the minimum wage
- welfare
- business taxes
- national insurance
- equality policy
With regard to welfare the Scottish Government wants:
The Scottish Government’s priorities for devolution are:
- Responsibility for working age benefits; or at least further flexibilities in Universal Credit, including the power to vary the Carer’s, Child and Childcare Costs elements and the Work Allowance, and conditionality and sanctions
- Benefits relating to children (Child Benefit & Guardian’s Allowance).
- Full devolution of working-age benefits and flexibilities in Universal Credit