Smith Commission: Prime Minister responds
Extra devolution for Scotland "will make our United Kingdom stronger" says David Cameron.
The Smith Commission was set up by Prime Minister David Cameron in the wake of the vote against Scottish independence. Today鈥檚 report sets out the agreement reached between all 5 of Scotland鈥檚 main political parties: Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and the SNP.
The Prime Minister said:
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted with what鈥檚 been announced, we鈥檙e keeping our promises and our United Kingdom together. I always said that a 鈥榥o鈥� vote didn鈥檛 mean no change, indeed, we made a vow of further devolution to Scotland and today we show how we鈥檙e keeping that vow to keep that promise.
鈥淭he Scottish Parliament is going to have much more responsibility in terms of spending money but it will also need to be accountable for how it raises taxes to fund that spending and I think that鈥檚 a good thing. It also makes the case for English votes for English laws unanswerable and we鈥檒l be taking action on that shortly.
鈥淎nd I think taken together, this extra devolution for Scotland and dealing with all the issues in our United Kingdom, will make our United Kingdom stronger.鈥�
Smith Commission has reported - what鈥檚 next?](/government/news/the-smith-commission-has-reported-whats-next)
David Cameron confirmed that draft clauses to take forward Lord Smith鈥檚 recommendations into legislation will be produced in January. He also confirmed that proposals will be brought forward on English votes for English laws before Christmas.