Local Government Committee Convener Bruce Crawford introduces Lord Smith and and Jenny Bates, Head of Secretariat with the Smith Commission.

The Smith Commission, which took forward its recommendations in consultation with the Scottish Parliament's five parties - The SNP, Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens - recommended that:

• The parliament should be given the power to set income tax rates and bands on earned income and will retain all of the income tax raised in Scotland.

• The parliament should be given powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections.

• The parliament should be given powers to create new benefits in devolved areas and make discretionary payments in any area of welfare.

• A range of other benefits that support older people, carers, disabled people and those who are ill should also be fully devolved.

• The Scottish government and Scottish Parliament should have a "formal consultative role" in the process of reviewing the BBC Charter.

Last week the body on strengthening devolution concluded the Scottish Parliament should have the power to set income tax rates and bands.

The Smith Commission also said a share of VAT should be assigned to the parliament, and Air Passenger Duty fully devolved.

The commission was set up by Prime Minister David Cameron in the wake of the vote against Scottish independence.

Its findings will form the basis of legislation on more Scottish powers.

The UK government welcomed the report, but Scottish ministers said it fell short of what the nation needed to flourish.

Welcome to BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 2 December 2014.

As with the end of last week, today is going to be dominated by the findings of the Smith Commission, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Lord Smith will begin giving evidence to the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee, external from 9am.