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Sturgeon demands agreement on 'legal' independence referendum Sturgeon demands agreement on 'legal' independence referendum
(32 minutes later)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to demand Holyrood be given the power to hold a second independence referendum.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to demand Holyrood be given the power to hold a second independence referendum.
Ms Sturgeon confirmed to MSPs that she would "seek agreement to the transfer of power that will put the referendum beyond legal challenge".Ms Sturgeon confirmed to MSPs that she would "seek agreement to the transfer of power that will put the referendum beyond legal challenge".
As she unveiled her government's plans for the year, she said the parliament had a clear, democratic mandate.As she unveiled her government's plans for the year, she said the parliament had a clear, democratic mandate.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated his opposition to a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated his opposition to a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK.
Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament it "now seems inevitable that there will be an early UK general election".Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament it "now seems inevitable that there will be an early UK general election".
She added: "Let me by crystal clear today - the SNP will put Scotland's opposition to Brexit and our right to choose independence at the very heart of that contest."She added: "Let me by crystal clear today - the SNP will put Scotland's opposition to Brexit and our right to choose independence at the very heart of that contest."
Ms Sturgeon said the referendum bill that was introduced to Holyrood earlier this year was about to resume its parliamentary progress.Ms Sturgeon said the referendum bill that was introduced to Holyrood earlier this year was about to resume its parliamentary progress.
She said her government intended to offer the choice of independence within this term of parliament. The bill is expected to be passed before the end of the year and the first minister has previously said she could hold a referendum in the second half of 2020.
The UK government would need to transfer power - through a Section 30 order - to allow a second referendum to be held but it has so far rejected such an agreement
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs her government intended to offer the choice of independence within this term of parliament, which ends in May 2021.
Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw said it was "typical" that the first minister's programme for government statement "both began and ended with independence".Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw said it was "typical" that the first minister's programme for government statement "both began and ended with independence".
"It really is the be-all-and-end-all for her nationalist government." he said."It really is the be-all-and-end-all for her nationalist government." he said.
"The people of Scotland have had enough of this. They simply want Nicola Sturgeon to give it a rest.""The people of Scotland have had enough of this. They simply want Nicola Sturgeon to give it a rest."
Green new dealGreen new deal
The first minister's speech detailed the 14 bills and other measures the Scottish government intends to bring forward over the next year.The first minister's speech detailed the 14 bills and other measures the Scottish government intends to bring forward over the next year.
The "centrepiece" of that would be work to tackle the climate emergency, she said.The "centrepiece" of that would be work to tackle the climate emergency, she said.
Ms Sturgeon promised a "Scottish Green New Deal" that would start to create the right conditions to kick-start investment and make a "significant impact" on greenhouse gas emissions.Ms Sturgeon promised a "Scottish Green New Deal" that would start to create the right conditions to kick-start investment and make a "significant impact" on greenhouse gas emissions.
Its commitments include £500m for improved bus priority lanes to tackle congestion and increase usage.Its commitments include £500m for improved bus priority lanes to tackle congestion and increase usage.
It would also see further electrification of the railways and increase low carbon heating in new homes.It would also see further electrification of the railways and increase low carbon heating in new homes.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament that while the Westminster government was shutting down, the Scottish government was "stepping up".Ms Sturgeon told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament that while the Westminster government was shutting down, the Scottish government was "stepping up".
Bills for introduction in 2019-20Bills for introduction in 2019-20
Measures tackling climate changeMeasures tackling climate change
In April, Ms Sturgeon declared a "climate emergency" in her speech to the SNP conference.In April, Ms Sturgeon declared a "climate emergency" in her speech to the SNP conference.
She later said the Scottish government would legislate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045.She later said the Scottish government would legislate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045.
The package of measures includes:The package of measures includes:
Legislation that will allow charges to be applied to single-use coffee cups will be brought in under the Circular Economy Bill, the first minister added.Legislation that will allow charges to be applied to single-use coffee cups will be brought in under the Circular Economy Bill, the first minister added.
The Scottish Greens said the programme for government "lacked the ambition, scale and courage" required to tackle the climate emergency.The Scottish Greens said the programme for government "lacked the ambition, scale and courage" required to tackle the climate emergency.
The party's co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "Scotland needs a Scottish Green New Deal which recognises the purpose, scale and bravery required of an emergency response."The party's co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "Scotland needs a Scottish Green New Deal which recognises the purpose, scale and bravery required of an emergency response."
Meanwhile, other measures in the programme for government include:Meanwhile, other measures in the programme for government include:
Other bills include one that will enable councils to introduce a tourist tax.Other bills include one that will enable councils to introduce a tourist tax.
To help improve mental health care, the first minister said her promise to install 350 counsellors in schools - a commitment made last year - would be achieved by this time next year.To help improve mental health care, the first minister said her promise to install 350 counsellors in schools - a commitment made last year - would be achieved by this time next year.
The Scottish government will also work with councils on a "community wellbeing service", with this supported by £17m of additional funding, she said.The Scottish government will also work with councils on a "community wellbeing service", with this supported by £17m of additional funding, she said.
In addition, £10m will be made available in each of the next two years to try to deal with the "public health emergency" caused by drug abuse.In addition, £10m will be made available in each of the next two years to try to deal with the "public health emergency" caused by drug abuse.
There was a record 1,187 drugs deaths in Scotland last year.There was a record 1,187 drugs deaths in Scotland last year.
Another bill will see men and women able to have civil partnerships rather than marriage in Scotland.Another bill will see men and women able to have civil partnerships rather than marriage in Scotland.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said that the government had taken its eye "off the ball" because its primary focus was on independence.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said that the government had taken its eye "off the ball" because its primary focus was on independence.
He said: "Communities shouldn't lose out because of the SNP's constitutional obsessions. Liberal Democrats demand better for our public services."He said: "Communities shouldn't lose out because of the SNP's constitutional obsessions. Liberal Democrats demand better for our public services."
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard welcome the commitments on climate change but asked what the first minister was doing about rising housing costs and the reliance on food banks.Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard welcome the commitments on climate change but asked what the first minister was doing about rising housing costs and the reliance on food banks.