by Our News Desk

LABOUR has said it will push for welfare provisions in the Scotland Bill to be strengthened to protect against “the worst of the Tories.”

Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray will table several amendments to give Holyrood greater power over benefits in the Bill, which will be debated in the House of Commons today.

The Bill is the first from the Tory government’s legislative programme announced in the Queen’s Speech to get a second reading.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who will open the debate, said: “The fact the Scotland Bill is the first piece of legislation to be debated in this new session sends a clear and strong signal of our intent to get on with the business of delivering significant new powers for Scotland.”

Labour’s proposed changes include a guarantee that the Scottish Parliament will have the final say on welfare rates as well as the “unrestricted” power to create new devolved benefits.

The party wants the full devolution of housing benefit and for Holyrood to be given the power to top up benefits, including in reserved areas. Labour is also calling for control over welfare to be further devolved to local communities, starting with the work programme.

Mr Murray, Labour’s sole Scottish MP, said: “More devolution can protect the most vulnerable in Scotland from the worst of the Tories. “The major new powers coming to Scotland give us the chance to do things differently, so that never again can a right-wing government impose the bedroom tax on struggling families.

“The final say on benefits paid in Scotland should be made in Scotland.”