Scottish policy debate has moved into a new and noisier phase as the parties seek to differentiate themselves on tax. This greater fiscal candour is to be welcomed, even if it rips up the established ground rules of electoral politics. But this ain’t the whole story: control over benefits remains an outstanding issue.
Tax credit cuts and ‘defensive devolution’
The SNP/Scottish Government and Labour now agree powers exist to restore, at least partially, tax credit cuts. But how can this be done without the administrative machinery in place? Full devolution of welfare powers would be a much better solution.