MSPs to be asked to back UK bills

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The Scottish Government will help UK ministers implement parts of the Queen's Speech affecting Scotland.

Scotland's minister for parliament, Bruce Crawford, said he would ask MSPs to agree to Westminster legislating in five devolved areas.

They include measures on justice, equality, local democracy, the marine environment and the police.

But Mr Crawford also hit out at UK spending cuts, which he said would damage Scotland severely.

Five of the 11 bills outlined at Westminster will require legislative consent by the Scottish Parliament - commonly known as a Sewel Motion.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said UK ministers would be using the current parliamentary session to tackle challenges facing the whole country.

"As Scots, the UK helps us to be more prosperous in good times and stronger in the more difficult times we are now facing - and that has rarely been clearer than in this Queen's Speech," he said.

Borrowing powers

Mr Crawford said the Scottish Government was prepared to work constructively with its UK counterparts to take forward proposals which would benefit the people of Scotland.

"However, the UK Government's programme is another illustration of why Scotland's parliament needs the full range of responsibilities - including economic, financial and borrowing powers - so that we can make our nation fairer and more prosperous," he said.

"The UK Government's planned £1bn cut from Scotland's budget shows the real cost of Westminster being in charge of the purse-strings.

"The impact of this £1bn cut on our public services would be severe, and Scotland must do all it can to make the government in London think again."

Mr Crawford said the Scottish Government would bring forward Legislative Consent Motions in connection with a number of UK bills.

They are:

Equality - to include Scotland in the extension of public sector duties and address inequities on age, sexual orientation and belief

Coroners and Justice - to ensure that criminals in Scotland do not profit by writing about their crimes through the recovery of profits from criminal memoirs

Local Democracy, Economic Regeneration and Construction - to include Scotland in amendments to new construction contracts legislation

Marine and Coastal Access - to introduce measures which would ensure the sustainable development of the marine environment and give the Scottish Government an enhanced role to address issues exclusive to Scottish waters

Policing and Crime - to close a loophole in football banning orders following the violence after the Uefa Cup final in Manchester.

In other areas, including action on child poverty and training, UK ministers will seek co-operation from the Scottish Government to implement their aims.