A summary of the Scottish Police Federation's submission to the Smith Commission. The full report can be found here.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes it is in the interests of the people of
Scotland to have
a parliament with all necessary powers to ensure it can deliver the best
possible life chances
for our citizens, regardless of where they happen to live or how rich or poor
they happen
to be.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes the Commission should endorse a statement
that it is
iniquitous that the Scottish people cannot directly determine the global
funding arrangements
for the Scottish Parliament.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes the dates within which the Commission is
expected to
deliver were superficially determined and provide an unrealistic time frame in
which to properly
consider and evaluate any submissions that it receives.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes the Commission should be able to continue
its considerations
beyond St Andrew's Night and if required to be able to make recommendations
for draft clauses beyond Burns’ Night.
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| They have to deal with some REALLY dodgy blokes |
The
Scottish Police Federation believes the Commission should make clear that
regardless of
its recommendations, there are no guarantees these will be delivered.
The
Scottish Police Federation supports the view expressed by the Prime Minister that
all options
for devolution are possible and believes this statement should be the basis
upon which
this, and any future discussions on Scottish devolution is based.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that it is incumbent on all parties to set
aside their pre
referendum positions and work towards delivering proposals that will best
deliver for the
citizens of Scotland.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that ALL UK spending decisions should
clearly identify
by each budget line, the proportions of spending drawn from borrowings, income tax,
national insurance, corporation tax, excise duties and any other clearly
identifiable income
stream.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that Scottish MPs should retain the ability
to vote on
any matter which may have a budgetary consideration or consequence for
Scotland.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that any budget in England & Wales
which is made up
in any part from funding sources which are in themselves contributed to by the
citizens in
the devolved nations should continue to attract full Barnett consequentials.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that unless the relationship between the
Scottish Parliament
and Annually Managed Expenditure is addressed, that 'control' over income tax will
prove to give the appearance of more powers without actually delivering so.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that Barnett bypass is manifestly unfair,
deprives devolved
administrations of funding that could be utilised to tackle social injustice
and that in
future only spending on defence, foreign affairs and the administration of the
state should
be capable of being categorised as being of UK wide significance.
The
Scottish Police Federation asks the Commission to ask itself that if the
further powers under
consideration for transfer to the Scottish Parliament will not help address
poverty and
its associated devastating consequences, whether these powers go far enough?
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that the greatest opportunity for public
sector workers
to be fairly rewarded and remunerated for the priceless role they perform in
our society
rests with increased powers for the Scottish Parliament.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes that cutting investment in the public
sector actively undermines
communities and stymies opportunities for growth and prosperity.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes the Scottish Parliament should have full
policy as well
as legislative responsibility for public sector pensions in Scotland.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes ALL revenues raised through the imposition
of fines
or proceeds of crime seizures (without limitation) should be retained in
Scotland to provide
the Scottish Government with additional resources to help those who need them most.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes absolute authority and responsibility for
counter terrorism
policing in Scotland should rest with the Chief Constable of the Police Service
of Scotland.
The
Scottish Police Federation believes the Scottish Parliament should have full
policy and legislative
responsibility on all matters that are ultimately enforceable through the
courts in Scotland.
