Referendum and same-sex marriage bills to feature in SNP plans
Referendum and same-sex marriage bills announced in SNP plans
(35 minutes later)
An independence referendum bill and another to legalise same-sex marriage are set to be part of the Scottish government's new legislative programme.
An independence referendum bill and another to legalise same-sex marriage form part of the Scottish government's new legislative programme.
First Minister Alex Salmond is announcing details of his 2012/13 plans in the Holyrood chamber.
First Minister Alex Salmond announced details of his 2012/13 plans in the Holyrood chamber.
The government will bring forward 15 bills in all.
The government will bring forward 15 bills in all.
The SNP administration wants a referendum on independence to be held in autumn 2014. However, much of the detail has still to be worked out.
The SNP administration wants a referendum on independence to be held in autumn 2014. However, much of the detail has still to be worked out.
Negotiations on the process surrounding the vote are continuing between the Scottish and UK governments.
Negotiations on the process surrounding the vote are continuing between the Scottish and UK governments. The bill is expected to make its way through parliament and gain Royal Assent in November next year.
The bill is expected to make its way through parliament and gain Royal Assent in November next year.
At this stage it is not known how many questions voters will be asked.
At this stage it is not known how many questions voters will be asked.
The Scottish government is expected to reveal its preference on questions after publishing responses to its consultation on the issue in the coming weeks.
Among the 14 other bills being put forward are the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, which could introduce same-sex marriage to Scotland.
The UK government has warned that anything more than one question on staying in or out of political union with the rest of the UK could result in a legal challenge.
Mr Salmond says there will be a "conscience" vote in the parliament, where MSPs will be able to vote freely, and he insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold same-sex weddings in churches.
The controversial subject of same-sex marriage is also expected to feature in the Scottish government's future legislative programme.
The SNP is expected to allow its members to have a free vote when the bill comes before them.
Ministers confirmed at the end of July that they would bring forward legislation on the issue, indicating the earliest ceremonies could take place by the start of 2015.
Party leaders from across the political spectrum, equality organisations and some faith groups welcomed the move on same-sex marriage.
However, it has been strongly opposed by the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland.
The announcement was made in the wake of a government consultation which produced a record 77,508 responses.
The announcement was made in the wake of a government consultation which produced a record 77,508 responses.
'Enormous decision'
Also included are measures to make more free early learning and childcare available.
Same-sex couples in Scotland currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships, but are not allowed to marry.
The first minister said the Children and Young People Bill will include a promise of 600 hours "free early learning and childcare provision".
The Holyrood government has insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold same-sex weddings in churches.
This will guarantee 600 hours of pre-school nursery care for three and four-year-olds, and looked-after two-year-olds, and represents a 125-hour increase on current provision.
The package of bills is also likely to include plans to guarantee 600 hours of pre-school nursery care for three and four-year-olds, and looked-after two-year-olds. That represents a 125-hour increase on current provision.
He also announced £18m for families from the Early Years Change Fund, describing it as "an investment in building the foundations of a better Scotland".
Political analyst John Curtis and former SNP adviser Ewan Crawford believed the likely announcement of an independence referendum bill would dominate Mr Salmond's address to MSPs.
Mr Crawford told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Inevitably, over the next two years the independence debate is going to overshadow most things - it is an enormous decision."
Mr Curtis added: "There is certainly no doubt that if Scotland voted for independence, even if it was going to bring economic benefit, that economic benefit is going to be some years down the track, because even with Mr Salmond's timetable Scotland would not become independent before 2016."
