JOHN Swinney has said he will look to identify “new powers than can be quickly devolved” to the Scottish Parliament.
The First Minister, in his speech setting out his Programme for Government for the next parliamentary term, said that Andy Burnham had “opened the door” to new powers for Holyrood.
The Prime Minister has proposed further devolution for England and said he would devolve powers over policing to the Welsh Senedd.
However, he has not yet set out what powers the Scottish Parliament could be given. Previously, the SNP have called for powers over the ability to hold a referendum, powers over energy and employment to be given to Holyrood.
Following his first meeting with Swinney in Glasgow, Burnham said talk of an independence referendum is “off limits”, so it is unlikely that this would be top of the Prime Minister’s priority list.
Swinney also told MSPs at Holyrood on Tuesday that he would “continue to make the case” for Scotland’s right to decide to leave the UK.
“This is a Scottish Government that works for Scotland, that wants the very best for the people of Scotland,” the First Minister said.
“That means giving our citizens a greater sense of control over their lives and demonstrating that, once again, they can, by studying, training, or working hard, make their lives better.
“It is about empowering our communities and our regions, but also about empowering Scotland as a whole.
“It is about demonstrating to people that we, the politicians, get it, and that we are acting to make their lives better.
“That requires a new way of doing government and a new way also of doing politics in this place.
“In my heart, I believe in self-government for Scotland.”
The First Minister added that self-government has been “good” for Scotland and “we need more of it”.
“The Prime Minister has opened the door to new powers for this parliament, and I will work constructively with people inside this chamber, and partners outside it, to identify the new powers that can be quickly devolved, if we are to maximise economic growth, reduce inequality and do even more to put money in people’s pockets,” Swinney added.
“But ultimately, Scotland’s constitutional future should be a matter only for the people of Scotland.
“That’s why I will continue to make the case for Scotland’s right to decide on a fresh start with independence – the change that will make the biggest positive difference.”
He added: “This is a government that believes in Scotland, and in our people.
“We see a nation brimming with potential but held back because too often decisions taken elsewhere get in the way.
“We have deep-seated challenges but we have the wealth, resources and ingenuity to overcome them. I have no doubt, that the more powers we have, and the more policy levers we can control here in Scotland, the more we can achieve.
“My commitment to the people of Scotland is clear. You come first. Government works for you and will always be alive to the realities of your day-to-day experience.”
Earlier, Swinney set out his priorities and said that the SNP will “give the leadership for Scotland to decide her own future and set out our case that Scotland will be better off with independence”.
“To succeed, we will have to embrace change,” the First Minister said, before announcing sweeping changes to the public sector.
“We will undertake radical and widespread public service reform, putting the individual at the heart of the changes we make,” he said.
“We will require all public services to make a decisive shift to prevention and early intervention.”
The First Minister also told MSPs that the Scottish Parliament can lower energy costs “for some with the powers of devolution”.
“But we can only lower energy costs for all with the full powers of independence – with Scotland’s vast energy resources finally in Scotland’s hands,” he added.
