Scotland: Brown Outlines New Powers Timetable

Gordon Brown has said a "No" vote in the Scottish referendum would be the "starting gun" for more powers.

The former prime minister has unveiled his plan for a timetable to give the Scottish Parliament more control over finance, welfare and taxation as part of a new Scotland Act if voters reject independence.

A Downing Street source welcomed the move, but "Yes" campaigners said it smacked of panic and desperation.

In a speech in Midlothian, Mr Brown said work would begin on the new legislation on September 19, the day after the vote.

He envisions a "command paper" to be published by the UK Government, which will set out the proposals no later than the end of October.

Better Together leader Alistair Darling campaigns in Edinburgh

A white paper would be drawn up in November after a consultation, with draft clauses for legislation expected in January.

Speaking before the speech, Mr Brown said: "The alternative to an irreversible separation is a more powerful Scottish Parliament with a timetable for its delivery.

"Quite simply, Scottish voters deserve to know to the fullest extent possible about how new powers as ambitious as possible will be delivered as soon as possible within the UK.

"So, we are demanding a tight timetable with tough deadlines and streamlined procedures."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "If we win the general election, we will move with utmost speed in our first Queen's Speech to enact this legislation."

Alex Salmond has dismissed pledges of devolution as a 'bribe'

A senior Liberal Democrat source said: "We welcome it."

A Downing Street source said: "We very much welcome this intervention by Gordon Brown."

Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to give his response to Mr Brown's initiative later this week.

Meanwhile, Sky's City Editor Mark Kleinman reports that Mr Cameron has made an impassioned plea to business leaders for them to do all they can to ensure there is a "No" vote.

It comes after a poll put support for a "Yes" vote ahead for the first time, with 51% supporting independence, compared to 49% who want to remain a part of the UK.

The results of the YouGov poll

In the wake of the poll, sterling fell to a 10-month low against the dollar.

The latest poll, released on Monday, puts the Better Together campaign just one point ahead of Yes Scotland.

Almost a third of voters in England and Wales believe Mr Cameron should resign if Scotland votes for independence, according to another poll in The Sun newspaper.

The pro-union Better Together campaign has denied suggestions it is being forced into panic measures to shore up support and also the charge that a promise to outline the handover of more powers is a "bribe".

Labour for Independence campaigner Bob Thomson, speaking on behalf of the Yes Scotland campaign, said the move "smacks of utter panic and desperation".

"The sure fire way to achieve the full range of powers Scotland needs to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy is to vote Yes a week on Thursday."

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