THE Smith Commission made their findings known last week as to what additional powers are recommended to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

I welcome any new power that comes to Scotland and pledge to use them when they are in place in the best interests of the Scottish people.

I particularly welcome the proposal to transfer the powers to prevent the proliferation of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). This is something I have been campaigning for.

However, the Westminster parties were not prepared to deliver the powerhouse parliament the people of Scotland were promised. Under these proposals, over 70 per cent of our taxes will remain at Westminster and around 85 per cent of welfare powers will remain at Westminster.

The proposals clearly fall far short of the rhetoric from the No campaigners during the referendum.

As polling has shown, two-thirds of people want Scotland to have all powers apart from defence and foreign affairs — Devo Max – including majorities among supporters of all political parties.

A total of 71 per cent want control of all taxation in Scotland, 75 per cent want control of the welfare and benefits system.

Most significantly, the proposals do not include the job-creating powers that Scotland so badly needs to get more people into work and grow the economy, or welfare powers to tackle in-work poverty.

Unfortunately, the Smith Commission report is a missed opportunity to devolve real power to Scotland to help build a fairer, more prosperous society.