MPs have rejected an SNP call to devolve employment law to the Scottish Parliament. The bill brought at Westminster was voted down by 33 votes to 22. All of those who voted against it were either Tories or former Tories. Some 16 SNP MPs voted for the bill and they were backed by others to include the SDLP, Plaid Cymru, a Green and an independent MP.
David Linden of the SNP, who brought the unsuccessful bill ,commented to say:
“It’s now crystal clear that independence is the only way for Scotland to secure vital powers over employment law, so we can protect workers’ rights and build a fairer future. The SNP is the only major party that wants Scotland to have control over employment powers, which would enable Scotland to introduce a real living wage and boost the rights of millions of workers across Scotland. In contrast, the Labour Party is a roadblock to devolution. They would rather leave Scotland under Westminster control, and at the mercy of Tory attacks on workers’ rights, than give Scotland’s national parliament powers’.
In contrast, the newly elected MP for Labour Michael Shanks said:
“If the SNP are concerned about workers’ rights, they should start by ending their use of exploitative zero hours contracts to deliver election leaflets. Labour will deliver a New Deal for Working People that will transform workers rights across the UK and make work pay but instead of welcoming Labour’s proposals the SNP would rather snipe from the side lines.”
For the time being any new Scottish employment law legislation remains a matter for Parliament in Westminster.