Scottish business moves could impact upon employee benefits

Moves by businesses in Scotland to devolve more powers to the Holyrood parliament could impact on the functioning of employee benefits north of the border.

A new campaign will be launched tomorrow, led by several high-profile business leaders, calling for more tax raising powers, the Scotsman reports.

Prior to the general election, the Calman Commission published proposals for reform, but now several groups are calling for more far-reaching powers.

Business secretary Vince Cable backed the proposals yesterday (June 1st), as did Scottish first minister Alex Salmond.

A group statement, released ahead of tomorrow''s media conference, says devolving more powers to the Scottish parliament will increase accountability and provide "the incentive and the fiscal tools necessary to achieve improved public services and faster economic growth".

The UK emergency budget is due on June 22nd and could give the first clear indication of how the new coalition government plans to proceed with lifestyle benefits schemes introduced under the Labour administration. Back