Date: 7 July 2007

Scottish UNISON seeks greater powers for Scottish Parliament

UNISON, Scotland's largest public service union, will today argue at the union's LabourLink forum in Manchester, that the union should throw its weight in the Labour Party behind greater powers for the Scottish Parliament.

Alan Cowan, UNISONScotland's representative on the union's national LabourLink committee said "It is clear that there have been many positive achievements delivered by the Scottish Parliament in its eight year history. As we start a third term it is an appropriate time to take stock of other areas that could profitably be devolved. After all, it was our first First Minister, Donald Dewar, who said that devolution was a process, not an event."

UNISONScotland is suggesting that the current position has restricted the ability of the Scottish Parliament to promote policies and practices that would benefit Scotland. They want the union to campaign within the Party's Policy Forum for greater powers to be devolved.

Alan said "The areas of equal opportunities, energy, council tax benefit, pensions and immigration are all areas where greater devolution could have allowed the Scottish Parliament to make some very progressive decisions for Scotland. Of course there are also areas such as broadcasting which we have always thought should be devolved."

ENDS

Note to editors UNISON's LabourLink forum is the annual meeting of LabourLink delegates from UNISON branches across the UK.

For Further Information Please Contact: Alan Cowan (Scottish rep to UK LabourLink cttee) 07859 813 341 (m) Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser) 07958 122 409(m)

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