Holyrood politicians moved a step closer to taking control of £12b of their nation's finances as the Government's Scotland Bill cleared the Commons.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore hailed the legislation as a "hugely significant package", telling MPs it would make ministers in Edinburgh more "accountable" by giving them the necessary powers to raise the taxes needed for their own policies.

But while ministers in Scotland will take control of income tax, MPs in Westminster will continue to set corporation tax and duties on alcohol and cigarettes.

The Bill was given an unopposed third reading despite the SNP expressing reservations about some of the Bill's "unpalatable" measures.

Following the party's landslide win in Scottish parliamentary elections, spokesman Pete Wishart said the legislation failed to meet the demands of the nation's people.

Mr Moore told the Commons the Bill represented the "largest transfer of financial powers from Westminster to Scotland".

"It is a radical but responsible step," he added. "The Bill is not just about transferring power for power's sake, it is about creating accountability.

"By taking on responsibility for raising the taxes required to fund the decisions they take, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish ministers will be more accountable and will be better equipped to respond to Scotland's needs within the United Kingdom."

With the prospect of the SNP holding a referendum on independence, shadow Scottish secretary Ann McKechin said: "Tonight has been an important debate on where we see Scotland in the future ... that debate will continue over the weeks and months to come.

"I want to make sure that debate is in the context of hard, reasoned evidence which the Scots demand of us and is one that is clearly shown to be for their benefit."

Liberal Democrat Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) said the Bill was a "substantial event in the process of devolution".

But Mr Wishart said: "Is this the Bill that Scotland urgently requires? I have to say the answer to that is unfortunately no." He added that it "falls way short of the ambitions of the Scottish people".