Meeting of the Parliament 23 February 2016
I welcome the First Minister’s statement. Having spoken to the chancellor after the deal was signed, I know that the UK Government welcomes this positive outcome.
The agreement delivers the stronger, more responsible Scottish Parliament that the people of Scotland were promised. It is devolution delivered, and I congratulate our two Governments on agreeing the deal. Despite some rather unhelpful noises off from parties that were not involved in the discussions, which seemed keener to score points than see a deal done, the agreement shows that our two Governments can work together for the good of Scotland. It also provides for exactly the kind of Scotland that most people want: a Scotland that is not separated from our neighbours but has more power and control over its own affairs and is still backed up by the strength and security of the UK.
In the longer term, the agreement also throws a major challenge to the Scottish National Party Government, because grudge and grievance will no longer wash. On tax, welfare and our public services, the buck stops with it. With that in mind, will the First Minister confirm that she will outline at the very earliest opportunity what she plans to do with the powers that will soon make Holyrood the most powerful sub-state legislature anywhere in the world?