SCOTLAND has gone backwards since 1999, supporters of greater devolution warned as they stepped up their campaign to win cross-party backing for handing MSPs more control over tax and benefits.
The Devo Plus Group – which wants Holyrood to raise all the cash it spends – issued a new report claiming Scotland was performing less well on a range of key social indicators than when the parliament was created. They argued further tax powers were required to address problems, including increased alcohol dependency, fuel poverty and homelessness.
The group, an offshoot of the Reform Scotland think-tank behind the devo plus constitutional model, used the report to call for cross-party backing for the scheme.
Leader Jeremy Purvis, a former LibDem MSP, said: "If we are to see the improved social outcomes in Scotland that we would like, then Devo Plus should provide the basis of cross-party agreement."
Their call came as Alistair Darling spoke of the need for pro-UK parties to set out their plans for further devolution in the run-up to the 2015 Westminster election, as power transfers would require the agreement of the UK Government. The report said giving MSPs full control of income tax and responsibility for job centres and benefits would allow ministers in Edinburgh to "support wider social policy objectives".
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