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Scottish independence: Ministers quizzed on White Paper Scottish independence: Ministers quizzed on White Paper
(about 1 hour later)
More than 300 Scottish organisations have been invited to quiz the Scottish government on its White Paper. More than 300 Scottish organisations are quizzing the Scottish government on its White Paper.
Ministers will answer questions about its blueprint for independence from unions, businesses, voluntary organisations and public bodies at the event in Edinburgh. Ministers are answering questions about the blueprint for independence from unions, businesses, voluntary organisations and public bodies at the event in Edinburgh.
The question and answer session is available to watch online.The question and answer session is available to watch online.
A Better Together spokesman said all questions should already have been answered by the White Paper.A Better Together spokesman said all questions should already have been answered by the White Paper.
The White Paper, which was titled Scotland's Future - Your Guide to an Independent Scotland, was published on 26 November. The White Paper, titled Scotland's Future - Your Guide to an Independent Scotland, was published on 26 November.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The publication of Scotland's Future marks a significant moment in the referendum campaign as we set out a detailed prospectus for an independent Scotland, providing answers to the host of reasonable questions people have about what a vote for independence will mean and the opportunities that will flow from that. First Minister Alex Salmond told the gathering that people from across Scotland would be given a similar opportunity to ask questions of the cabinet at a series of public meetings in the run up to next September's independence referendum.
"We have a responsibility to provide as much information as possible to the people who will cast their vote in the referendum, allowing them to make an informed choice about the future of their country." So far, ministers have been asked a number of questions about issues such as taxation, voter participation, the economy, poverty, human rights and a written constitution.
He said the Edinburgh event presented "an ideal opportunity to do exactly that and my cabinet colleagues and I are thoroughly looking forward to it". Finance Secretary John Swinney told the audience simplification of the tax system would be key in an independent Scotland.
A spokesman for the Better Together campaign, which opposes independence, said: "We were told in advance that the White Paper would answer all of our questions about the consequences of independence, but it did nothing of the sort. Asked about what level of debt an independent Scotland would take on following a "Yes" vote, he said Scotland would not "default" but added that assets and liabilities had to be considered together.
Elsewhere, when asked how an independent Scotland would tackle poverty, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "What's happening to our welfare state is one of the biggest arguments for independence."
She said changes to welfare and childcare policies could only happen if voters in Scotland opted for independence in the referendum.
Voters will go to the polls on 18 September 2014, and will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Mr Salmond said the dates of further question and answer events would be announced in due course.
He added: "We want people to continue to talk about Scotland's future, and we want to take this conversation out to communities across Scotland. We want people to know the ways in which the powers of independence can be used to build a wealthier and fairer Scotland and ensure that everyone benefits from our natural wealth and talent."
However a spokesman for the Better Together campaign, which opposes independence, said the White Paper was a "work of fiction".
He added: "We were told in advance that the White Paper would answer all of our questions about the consequences of independence, but it did nothing of the sort.
"Instead of facing up to the reality on currency, pensions, EU membership and more, what we got was more assertion from the SNP."Instead of facing up to the reality on currency, pensions, EU membership and more, what we got was more assertion from the SNP.
"It was a work of fiction rather than fact.
"It's little wonder that all the polling evidence since its publication shows that people aren't convinced by the White Paper.""It's little wonder that all the polling evidence since its publication shows that people aren't convinced by the White Paper."