Scotland’s Future: The constitutional report card
Reform Scotland believes that each tier of government should be responsible for broadly raising the money that it spends.
Devo Plus
In 2011 Reform Scotland published Devolution Plus. This report built on previous work we had done, including the Campaign for Fiscal Responsibility, and argued that the Scottish Parliament needed to be responsible for raising the money that it spends. The report outlined one way that this could be achieved, as well as arguing that greater welfare powers needed to be devolved to enable joined-up policy development.
The principle of being responsible for raising what you spend has since become known as Devo Plus and a policy Reform Scotland continues to argue in favour of.
“Scotland doesn’t need independence to take more responsibility for itself” – Scotsman
Malcolm Fraser in the Scotsman explains Devo Plus.
‘Looking on the plus side, devo-max is dead’ – Scotsman
Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott argues the case for Devo Plus in the Scotsman
“Maximising debate on independence” – Herald
Herald leader on Devo Plus
‘The plus factor must be taken into account’ – Scotsman
Autonomy for Scotland requires real control over raising taxes as well as spending them, writes Jeremy Purvis
‘Best option for us all’ – Scotland on Sunday
Jeremy Purvis in the Scotland on Sunday outlines the Devo Plus group.
“David Cameron must make brave steps towards a federal UK” – Guardian
Tim Montgomerie in the Guardian comments that giving more powers to Scotland would save the union, empower the Conservatives and haul the UK into the 21st century
Reform Scotland bulletin on ‘Devo Plus’ and opinion poll
Reform Scotland has published the results of some opinoon polling we carried out on our ‘Devo Plus’ proposals whereby each layer of government as far as possible is responsible for raising the money it spends.
‘Flying the flag for the greatest possible devolution’ – Scotsman
Malcolm Chisholm praises Reform Scotland’s work on ‘Devolution Plus’ in the Scotsman
Devolution plus
Reform Scotland’s evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Scotland Bill committee. The report calls for the Scottish Parliament to be responsible for raising the money it spends as well as calling for a number of major welfare benefits to Holyrood.
“Third Way the Best Option For Scotland” – The Scotsman
Short of full independence but an advance on the status quo, ‘Devolution Plus’ would give Holyrood greater financial power and responsibility, writes Ben Thomson