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Scottish independence: SNP launches referendum blueprint Scottish independence: SNP launches referendum blueprint
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish government has set out its blueprint for independence, ahead of next September's referendum.The Scottish government has set out its blueprint for independence, ahead of next September's referendum.
First Minister Alex Salmond said the 670-page white paper would put beyond dispute Scotland's ability to be a successful, independent nation. The 670-page white paper promises to "build a more democratic, more prosperous, fairer society".
On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Opposition politicians said "time was running out" for the SNP to answer key questions about the challenges ahead. The document, launched by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, pledged to tailor economic policy to Scottish businesses and industry.
'Stuffed full' He said independence would allow Scotland to harness its vast potential as a country.
The white paper, "Scotland's future: Your guide to an independent Scotland", is being launched by Mr Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during an event at Glasgow's Science Centre. The first minister went on: "Ultimately at the heart of this debate there's only one question - do we, the people who live and work in Scotland, believe that we are the best people to take the big decisions about our future?"
The Scottish government has described the white paper as a "landmark document", with the case for economic growth and fairness at its heart. The white paper also pledged to extend child care and scrap controversial UK government housing welfare changes, described by critics as the "bedroom tax", should the SNP be elected as the first government of an independent Scotland in the event of a "Yes" vote.
The document, "Scotland's future: Your guide to an independent Scotland", also said it would be in Scotland's interest to keep the pound, but that would also benefit the rest of the UK, while the Bank of England would continue to be the "lender of last resort".
Its pledges included:
The Scottish government described the white paper as a "landmark document", with the case for economic growth and fairness at its heart.
The SNP has argued Scotland's finances are healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future.The SNP has argued Scotland's finances are healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the white paper was "stuffed full with facts and figures and information", with a "heavy focus" on addressing questions that people wanted answered.
She said: "This is an exciting day in the referendum campaign.
"For everybody out there who has said, 'I'm not sure how to vote because I don't feel I've got all the information I need', this is the day when that information is put out there.
"Information that sets out the overwhelming case for independence, the benefits it will bring for individuals, families, communities, the country as a whole, the practicalities about how we make the journey to independence and answers to a whole range of questions people have been asking."
Ms Sturgeon added: "This is a big moment in the campaign and one which I think will decisively shift the dynamic of it."
The deputy first minister, who will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the white paper on Tuesday afternoon, said the pressure was now on the pro-Union side to set out their vision for Scotland's future.
The Scottish government's critics said the white paper would be judged on whether it tackled concerns over issues like financial challenges.The Scottish government's critics said the white paper would be judged on whether it tackled concerns over issues like financial challenges.
For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said there were huge question marks over some of the policies already revealed by the SNP.For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said there were huge question marks over some of the policies already revealed by the SNP.
He said it was "highly unlikely" the Scottish government's plan to keep the pound and retain the services of the Bank of England as part of a "currency union" with the rest of the UK would work, and said the SNP must set out a "Plan B".He said it was "highly unlikely" the Scottish government's plan to keep the pound and retain the services of the Bank of England as part of a "currency union" with the rest of the UK would work, and said the SNP must set out a "Plan B".
The Scottish government's critics have also questioned its plan to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons - currently based on the Clyde - while being a member of Nato.The Scottish government's critics have also questioned its plan to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons - currently based on the Clyde - while being a member of Nato.
And they have said other SNP promises, on issues like pensions and welfare, are uncosted.And they have said other SNP promises, on issues like pensions and welfare, are uncosted.
Mr Carmichael said: "Scotland does very well out of the United Kingdom.
"There are enormous questions that many people in all different parts of Scotland still want to see answered - time is running out for the Nationalists to answer these questions."
The Scottish government said its white paper had been written for the public to compare the SNP's case with the alternatives, before making their minds up on which way to vote.
An initial print run of 20,000 copies of the white paper has been produced, but it will be made available to everyone who requests a copy.
At the weekend, the Scottish government said that, if there was a "Yes" vote, its proposed "independence day" would fall on Thursday 24 March, 2016.
That date is also the anniversary of the Union of the Crowns in 1603.