The Liberal Democrats have reviewed their position that Scottish benefits should be controlled from London and advocated the transfer of "a major package of welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament".

Scottish leader Willie Rennie said the weight of submissions from charities and experts calling for some devolution of the welfare state has provoked a change of heart within the party.

It contrasts with the position set out in the Campbell Commission, led by former leader Sir Menzies Campbell, that welfare should remain reserved to Westminster.

He said the party has a clear idea of the benefits it would like to see devolved, but would not reveal his preferences ahead of the Smith Commission's cross-party heads of agreement on Thursday.

But he said some benefits such as universal credit - which includes jobseekers' allowance, incapacity benefit and housing benefit - are "more volatile in terms of cost".

But others such as child benefit, personal independence payments (PIP) and attendance allowance are "a bit more stable".

In a speech to the party conference in Dunfermline, Mr Rennie said: "The Campbell Commission clearly set out that the benefits system should be something we share across the United Kingdom in its entirety.

"I have reviewed that position in light of the referendum. I have asked the team to explore the transfer of a major package of welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament.

"We have seen the weight of submissions from a wide range of charities and experts.

"We have heard about the way that caring services and benefits to people in need could be linked to their advantage in Scotland.

"We know it could mean more decisions can be made here whilst sharing risk and reward with the United Kingdom and I am persuaded by the case for change.

"It is consistent with our liberal values. It reflects the debate in the referendum and, if we are successful, it will be good for Scotland."

Later, Mr Rennie told the Press Association: "There are three different pillars of the welfare state: state pensions; universal credit which is jobseekers' allowance, incapacity benefit, housing benefit and stuff related to that plus a few other benefits; and there is non-universal credit which is child benefit and DLA (disability living allowance) which is going to become PIP, and attendance allowance.

"We looked at all of the aspects of that and some of them are more volatile in terms of cost.

"During a recession the cost of universal credit items go up faster than the other ones which are perhaps a bit more stable.

"So we looked at all of those and we are now having a discussion about how far we go."