THE commission charged with bringing more powers to Holyrood began work this week.

Chairman Robert Smith, Lord Smith of Kelvin, is heading a process which, the main UK parties have promised, will lead to draft legislation by the end of January.

The commission was set up to reach agreement on different plans championed by Labour, the Conservatives and LibDems. Their rival proposals build on the 2012 Scotland Act which, from 2016, will make Holyrood responsible for levying about half the income tax raised in Scotland.

However, Lord Smith has said he will listen to other parties, civic bodies and members of the public as he seeks broad consensus on the way forward.

Here are the competing visions for Holyrood:

Labour

Scottish Labour's devolution commission set out its plans six months ago.

l Tax: Scottish Government would have the power to vary income tax by 15p in the pound (three quarters of the current 20p basic rate) compared with 10p under the 2012 Act. The Scottish Government would have the power to raise the higher rates but could only reduce them if the basic rate was also cut.

l Welfare: Housing Benefit to be devolved, allowing Holyrood to abolish the so-called bedroom tax.

Holyrood would also take control of Attendance Allowance, the main benefit for disabled pensioners, while the DWP's Work Programme, helping the unemployed gain skills, would be devolved to local authorities.

l Others: Scotland should have its own Health and Safety Executive and be responsible for employment tribunals.

Conservatives

The Scots Tories' plans are contained in the Strathclyde Commission report, published in June.

l Tax: The Tories' plan to devolve income tax goes further than Labour. The tax free personal allowance would continue to be set by Westminster but after that Holyrood would be responsible for setting rates and bands. The plan also called for a share of VAT raised in Scotland to be assigned to Holyrood. Both Labour and the Tories would put Holyrood in charge of raising about 40 per cent of the money it spends.

l Welfare: Housing Benefit and Attendance Allowance to be devolved.

l Others: Creation of an independent economic forecaster, the Scottish Fiscal Commission, along the lines of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

LibDems

Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell drew up the party's proposals two years ago.

l Tax: Holyrood would become responsible for raising almost all income tax plus capital gains tax, inheritance tax and air passenger duty, giving the Scottish Government control over about two thirds of its revenues. Corporation tax receipts would be assigned to Holyrood; VAT, alcohol and excise duties would remain reserved to Westminster. The Barnett formula would be replaced by a needs-based mechanism for sharing UK resources. Overall, about 60 per cent of the revenues raised in Scotland would be spent by Holyrood. The LibDems call it fiscal federalism.

l Welfare: Reserved to Westminster.

l Others: Abolish the 1707 Act of Union and replace it with a federal constitution.

SNP

The SNP's leader-in-waiting, Nicola Sturgeon, has pledged to play a full and active part in Lord Smith's commission.

Many nationalists hope a fresh referendum can be staged within the next few years.

But mindful of a backlash from voters still recovering from the intensive two year campaign which resulted in last week's No vote, Ms Sturgeon has made further devolution her immediate priority.

In a speech this week she said people expected "home rule and something near federalism," quoting Gordon Brown's promise to voters.

l Tax: Ms Sturgeon has demanded powers "that will allow us to create jobs, ensure proper fiscal accountability and protect our public services".

l Welfare: She has called for measures to "deliver fair social security and tackle inequality".

l Others: She has demanded an early transfer of powers to put Holyrood in charge of its own elections, paving the way for allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in 2016.

Devo Plus

Devo Plus is a system championed by the think tank Reform Scotland, which is chaired by financier Ben Thomson. Reform Scotland is not aligned to a political party but is seen as centre-right in outlook. Individual MSPs from across the political divide have voiced support for Devo Plus. A Devo Plus group, campaigning for the system, is led by LibDem peer and former MSP Jeremy Purvis.

l Tax: Under Devo Plus, Holyrood would raise 60 per cent of the money it spent. Income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax would all be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

l Welfare: Work programmes, winter fuel payments and attendance and carers' allowances would be devolved to Holyrood.

l Others: The Scottish Parliament permanently established along with laws recognising its authority to raise at least half the money it spends. Mechanisms for resolving disputes between Holyrood and Westminster would be laid down in law.

Devo Max

"Devo max" has become a catch-all term for handing Holyrood extensive extra powers. However, details of the system were set out by the Scottish Government in 2009. The SNP have been broadly supportive, while arguing it does not go far enough. UK parties believe the system would create tensions which would lead quickly to independence.

l Tax: Holyrood would be responsible for raising and collecting almost all tax in Scotland. The Scottish Government would then pay Westminster for "shared services," including defence and foreign affairs. Responsibility for financial regulation, monetary policy and the currency would also continue to lie at Westminster.

l Welfare: Holyrood would establish its own welfare system.

l Others: Employment law and competition law would continue to be reserved to Westminster.