News story

5 things you might not know about Scotland's new powers

More powers are coming to Scotland through the Scotland Bill - find out more about what they are, and why they matter.

• From: Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
• Published: 3 June 2015

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

The Scotland Bill will bring more powers to the Scottish Parliament and fully implement the all-party Smith Commission.

Here are 5 things you might not know about the new powers coming to Scotland…

1. More accountable

For the first time more than half the money spent by the Scottish Government will be raised by the Scottish Parliament.

2. More responsible

The Scottish Government will be responsible for raising around 40% of Scotland’s taxes and deciding around 60% of its public spending.

Find out more about why the Scotland Bill is important

3. More powerful

The new powers, building on the extensive powers which have already been devolved, will make the Scottish Parliament one of the world’s most powerful devolved parliaments.

4. More voters

16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in Scottish Parliament elections - as they did in the independence referendum.

5. More powers

Scotland will have a wide range of new powers over things like promoting energy efficiency, tackling fuel poverty and controlling fracking.

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Published 3 June 2015