20 February 2009
By David Scott in Edinburgh
A unified civil service should be set up in Scotland, covering central and local government, the health service and agencies, a commission on devolution has been told.
Michael Keating, professor of political and social sciences at the European University Institute and politics professor at Aberdeen University, said this would enhance performance, extend expertise and increase mobility.
In written evidence to the Calman Commission, which was set up by opposition parties to examine the powers of the Scottish Parliament, Keating questioned the argument that a separate Scottish civil service would reduce staff mobility and be inward-looking.
He added: ‘Our research shows that, contrary to widespread belief, there was little mobility between London and Edinburgh before devolution. I believe there is an opportunity here to create a unified Scottish public service… This could be a contribution to enhancing the performance of the public service, extending the skills base and allowing more mobility.’
Keating suggested that the unified service should be ‘accompanied by stronger provision for external recruitment at all levels and mobility between Scotland, Whitehall, the other devolved administrations and the European Union’.
He also called on the commission to consider the Canadian model of taxation for Scotland. This would mean reducing UK income tax in Scotland, using a system of devolved tax points and allowing the Scottish Parliament to make up the difference. ‘Discretion should include higher and marginal rates as well as some of the allowances,’ Keating stated.
He said there was scope for the devolution of excise taxes, although within narrow limits to prevent avoidance through trans-border shopping, and various minor taxes.
Keating added: ‘The scope for varying corporation tax is limited by European law but recent judgments in the case of the Basque country suggest that variation would be legal if Scotland had substantial fiscal autonomy.’
PFfeb2009
