SNP conference: Sturgeon attacks 'shambolic' UK government
SNP conference: Sturgeon announces 'immediate' NHS pay rise
(35 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon is contrasting the "shambolic" UK government with her party's achievements at Holyrood as she addresses the SNP conference.
The majority of NHS Scotland staff will receive a 3% pay rise this year, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
She will also repeat her call for immigration policy to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
She told the SNP conference that staff currently earning up to £80,000 will receive at least a 3% increase.
But she is not likely to address the potential timing of any second independence referendum.
And she pledged that the "immediate" pay rise "will be in their pay packets next month".
Ms Sturgeon has previously said she will do so in the autumn, when the implications of Brexit become clearer.
She said the move meant the vast majority of frontline NHS Scotland staff will be paid more than in NHS England.
The first minister's speech will bring the two-day conference in Aberdeen to a close.
Ms Sturgeon also contrasted the "shambolic" UK government with her party's achievements at Holyrood.
There is live coverage of the speech on the BBC news website, and on BBC2 Scotland.
She repeated her call for immigration policy to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
In her speech, the first minister will claim that the "shambolic Westminster Tory government is holding Scotland back, while the Scottish government is moving Scotland forwards".
And she announced 750 new or refurbished nurseries to help deliver an increase in free pre-school provision, and more funding for students who have been in car.
She will highlight the "disastrous" impact she believes the UK government's "hostile migration policy" is having on Scotland's public services and economy.
But she gave no details of when a second Scottish independence referendum could be held.
Ms Sturgeon will add: "Scotland is a welcoming country - our prosperity and our public services depend on it.
Ms Sturgeon was speaking as the two-day conference in Aberdeen drew to a close.
How will the NHS pay rise work?
Ms Sturgeon told delegates that the past few years of pay restraint had been "tough" on NHS staff and other public service workers.
She added: "We're currently in negotiations to agree a three year pay deal for NHS staff in which we aim to not just match but exceed the deal agreed in England. I hope these talks reach a positive conclusion soon.
"But I don't want those working so hard in the NHS to have to wait for that agreement to get a pay rise this year. So I can announce today that we will make a payment on account as negotiations continue."
Staff currently earning up to £80,000 will receive at least a 3% uplift, and those earning £80,000 and over will receive a flat rate increase of £1,600.
Staff not at the top of their pay bands will also receive any incremental progression they are due.
The announcement will benefit 147,000 Agenda for Change staff, such as nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, therapists, paramedics, support staff and administrators.
It does not affect doctors, dentists or senior managers.
What did Ms Sturgeon say about independence?
In her speech the first minister urged supporters to focus not just on the "when" of a second independence referendum, but also to "use our energy and passion to persuade those who still ask 'why?'".
Ms Sturgeon did not directly address the potential timing of any second independence referendum having previously pledged to do so in the autumn, when the implications of Brexit become clearer.
She praised her party's recent Growth Commission report, which she said "doesn't shy away from challenges" or "pretend there are always easy answers".
And she said the document "lays strong foundations" for independence and "offers a brighter future than Brexit and Westminster austerity".
The report was met with a mixed response from independence supporters when it was published a fortnight ago.
It examines the economic options for an independent Scotland, and proposes keeping the pound and embarking on a major deficit reduction programme in the first years after leaving the UK.
What else did the SNP leader say?
The first minister claimed that the "shambolic Westminster Tory government is holding Scotland back, while the Scottish government is moving Scotland forwards".
And she highlighted the "disastrous" impact she believes the UK government's "hostile migration policy" is having on Scotland's public services and economy.
Ms Sturgeon added: "Scotland is a welcoming country - our prosperity and our public services depend on it.
"If Westminster cannot or will not act in our best interests, it is time that our own parliament was able to do so. It's time for powers over migration to come to Scotland."
"If Westminster cannot or will not act in our best interests, it is time that our own parliament was able to do so. It's time for powers over migration to come to Scotland."
Attracting more people to Scotland was a key part of the SNP's Growth Commission report, which was met with a mixed response from independence supporters when it was published a fortnight ago.
The report examines the economic options for an independent Scotland, and proposes keeping the pound and embarking on a major deficit reduction programme in the first years after leaving the UK.
Ms Sturgeon will also announce that the flagship £150m Building Scotland fund - the precursor to the Scottish National Investment Bank which was unveiled as part of this year's budget - is "open for business".
She will say that £70m will be invested in the coming year, including £25m to support at least 3,000 new homes.
Pro-independence Catalan politician Clara Ponsati, who is fighting a legal battle against being extradited from Scotland to Spain, spoke directly before Ms Sturgeon.
Prof Ponsati thanked her Scottish supporters Scots for their "overwhelming" backing in her fight, and told the conference: "I am really overwhelmed by the affection and the support I have received since I put my feet back in Scottish territory.
"What you are doing is showing your belief in democracy and human rights. Catalans are deeply grateful to you for that."
Prof Ponsati had been working as the director of the School of Economics and Finance at the University of St Andrews since January 2016, before being appointed as the Catalan government's education minister last year.
She returned to work at St Andrews earlier this year, having been in Belgium since fleeing Spain with Catalonia's ex-leader Carles Puigdemont and three other former cabinet members following an unsuccessful bid to declare independence from Spain in October.
Prof Ponsati has been accused by the Spanish authorities of rebellion - defined under Spanish law as being involved in a violent uprising - and misappropriation of public funds for her role in the Catalan referendum
What's happened at the conference so far?
The conference opened on Friday morning with Keith Brown being confirmed as the SNP's new deputy leader following a vote by party members.
Mr Brown, who is also Scotland's economy secretary, succeeds former MP Angus Robertson in role after finishing ahead of activist Julie Hepburn and Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny in the contest.
After being announced as the winner, Mr Brown urged activists to "get ready" for a second independence referendum.
However, he backs Ms Sturgeon's stance of waiting for greater clarity over Brexit before making any decision on the potential timing of another vote on whether to leave the UK.
Willing to compromise
On Saturday morning, Scotland's Brexit secretary, Michael Russell, told delegates that the idea of a "good Brexit" was a fantasy.
He said he would continue to argue for Scotland to remain in the European single market and the customs union.
And he told the conference that Scottish government was willing to compromise with the UK government over the EU Withdrawal Bill - but not at any price.
It came after Ms Sturgeon warned the UK government on Friday against pushing through its Brexit bill next week without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.
She told BBC Scotland the move would be "unprecedented" and would put the country into "uncharted" constitutional territory.
Brexit also featured heavily in a speech by the party's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, who challenged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to drop his opposition to the UK remaining in the single market.
