Scotland Devolution: Scottish Politicians to Keep Full Voting Rights on UK Budgets

Labour sources have revealed that Scottish politicians will retain the right to vote on the UK budget and other England-centric policies after Scotland is granted greater powers.

According to the sources, cited by the Telegraph, the Smith Commission will announce that members of the Scottish government will retain voting rights in the UK parliament, after Whitehall asked the panel to discuss how greater devolution would impact the rest of the union.

Some politicians have called for "English votes for English laws" in answer to the perceived West Lothian Question, which asks why MPs from other parts of the UK should be able to vote on certain English issues, when English MPs have no say on those same issues in the devolved national assemblies.

All the mainstream political parties promised that Westminster would grant Scotland enhanced devolution if Scots voted against independence during September's historic referendum.

On 18 September 55% of Scots voted against independence while 45% wanted to break the union.

A day later, the UK government appointed the panel, led by Lord Smith, to analyse what extra powers Scotland could be given over taxation and social issues, without creating an imbalanced schism within the union.

The Smith Commission is expected to recommend Scotland be given more power over income tax on earnings, some VAT revenues, and a series of benefit payments.

MSPs will given control over Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and the Personal Independence Payment.