Stressing that the coalition Westminster Government will take a pragmatic approach to realising the Calman Commission proposals, Moore, in an exclusive interview with The Herald, describes the planned 10p income tax power as a baseline and admits that, where practical, policy details could be added to, or subtracted from, the final package.
Moore, who will be questioned by committee conveners at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, says: “We are not going to die in a ditch over stuff that, if it presents itself as being an obvious and straightforward
thing to include, then we say, ‘oh, no that wasn’t in Calman’.
“Equally, if we come to a bit of Calman that proves tricky to implement ... we might have to work our way round the issue.”
Moore admits there is currently no timetable to implement Calman, but adds: “This is not going to be a big-bang moment. There will be implementation over a period of time.”
He does not query that the earliest extra tax powers can be introduced is April 2012, but when asked if Holyrood can expect to get them by 2015, therefore before the next election, he replies: “Yes.”
Moore also makes clear that the Scottish Government’s hope of getting £182 million from the fossil fuel levy fund is not a done deal, and suggests the final decision rests with Chancellor George Osborne.
