Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans to restart work on a "detailed prospectus" for Scottish independence ahead of a second referendum in the future.
Work had been halted during the Covid-19 pandemic, but Scotland's first minister confirmed to MSPs the plans would resume again.
She made her announcement in her Programme for Government, setting out her government's plans for the coming months and years.
As well as promising to “invest in and reform our public services”, Ms Sturgeon used her statement to Holyrood to reaffirm the commitment to having a second Scottish independence vote.
The First Minister declared: “Our democratic mandate to allow people, not politicians, to decide the country’s future is beyond question.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arriving for First Minister's Questions in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture date: Thursday September 2, 2021.
Jane Barlow
She argued that with Scotland looking to rebuild after Covid-19, it was“at this juncture in history, it is essential that we consider the kind of country we want to be, and how best to secure it”.
Questions over Scotland’s future “cannot be avoided, nor postponed until the die is already cast,” the First Minister said, as she confirmed the Government still wants to hold a referendum before the end of 2023 “Covid permitting”.
Ms Sturgeon added: “We will ensure that the choice, when it comes, is a fully informed one. “To that end, I can confirm that the Scottish Government will now restart work on the detailed prospectus that will guide the decision.”
She stated: “The case for independence is a strong one, and we will present it openly, frankly and with confidence and ambition.”
Over the same period spending on the frontline health services will increase by 20% – meaning that by 2026-27, the budget for this should be be £2.5 billion higher than it is today. Ms Sturgeon went on to pledge almost £3.5 billion of funding over the next five years to help build an additional 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon also promised reform of public services, with a National Care Service Bill to be brought in during the next parliamentary year. Opposition party leaders responded to the Programme for Government in a debate following the First Minister’s speech.
Members from All Under One Banner take part in a static demonstration for Scottish independence outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Jane Barlow
The Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, said: “In a statement that is 27 pages long, it takes to just the fourth paragraph for Nicola Sturgeon to mention independence. “It’s right up there in front of all of the other priorities that we should have.”
He continued: “Their focus is on a referendum, not the future of Scotland getting through this pandemic. “This Government should be pouring every single bit of time and effort into our economy, into tackling drug deaths and into remobilising our NHS.
“But no, they proved independence is at the forefront again.”
Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, said: “Scotland needed a programme for Government to recognise the scale of the challenge facing our country, but instead we got a programme that was short on big ideas.
“This isn’t good enough, it isn’t bold enough and it won’t do enough.”
