Parliamentary Search

Proceeding contribution from Lord Kerr of Kinlochard (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 15 March 2012. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Scotland Bill.

Scotland Bill

I am lost. I fear that I do not understand this no-detriment principle. I may be showing my ignorance coming late to this subject. I thought that I understood the rationale for the Scottish rate: the UK system would remain the same but there would be this variable—take 10 per cent off and top it up. I assume that the allowances, thresholds and system would be the same over the UK. If, for example, a Government believed that more growth could be obtained by going for a lower rate of tax, or higher allowances, and thus lower revenue, that would be the case across the United Kingdom, including in Scotland. The only thing that would move would be the variable rate if the Scots chose to move it. What is this detriment? Are we saying that the Scots could enjoy the advantages of the greater growth in the United Kingdom but that the detriment to their revenue would be compensated through a block grant system? That would be winning twice. That cannot be what is intended. Will the Minister explain how the no-detriment principle works?

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
736 c472 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Devolved matters Armed forces Aviation Devolution Civil service Air passenger duty Borrowing Aggregates levy Land EU law Income tax Legislative competence Excise duties Landfill Legislation Domicil Large goods vehicle drivers Ministerial powers Powers Members Public expenditure Ministers Public finance Scotland Social security benefits Scottish Parliament Taxation Tax rates and bands Supreme Court Self-employed Development land tax Universal credit Legislative consent motions
Legislation
Scotland Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk