Scottish independence: Sturgeon warns of 'bigger risk' staying in Union
Scottish independence: Politicians at odds over Scotland's global standing
(about 7 hours later)
Scottish independence is a less daunting prospect than the "much bigger risk" of leaving the economy in the hands of Westminster, according to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
An independent Scotland would be able to engage with other countries as an EU member in its own right, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
She is due to give a speech to the David Hume Institute later.
She argued the alternative was continued representation by a Westminster government which "does not put Scotland first".
She will also say so-called "barriers" to independence "all fall down when faced with logic and common sense".
Later this week, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague will say the UK has a high level of international influence.
Meanwhile the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said Scotland was "safer and stronger" as part of the union.
The comments come ahead of September's independence referendum.
He was speaking ahead of the publication of the latest UK government analysis paper, later this week, which will highlight the UK's role in international affairs and look at issues including membership of the EU and Nato.
On Thursday, 18 September, the people of Scotland will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Speaking ahead of her lecture, Ms Sturgeon said: "In wealthy Scotland, one of the richest countries in the world, many of our fellow citizens rely on food banks, children risk being brought up in poverty, working families risk bearing the brunt of the Chancellor's planned spending cuts.
Ms Sturgeon, who is speaking at the David Hume Institute on Wednesday evening, said that, if independent, Scotland would have benefited from an extra £850m in Common Agricultural Policy funding.
"These risks are growing and for far too many it is not even a matter of risk - it is reality.
This, she said, would have supported an extra 2,500 jobs and boosted the economy by £1bn over the period 2014-20, while, as part of the UK, decisions taken by the Westminster government had left Scotland with the lowest farm payments in the EU.
"The risks, and the reality, come from the dismantling of the social security safety net and the imposition of social and economic policies that are outwith our control, decided by a government we didn't vote for.
Ms Sturgeon said: "The people of Scotland face a decision about the kind of Scotland they want to live in - one in which we take responsibility and decide our own future, or one in which we wait for things to happen to us.
"So, yes, taking responsibility in any aspect of our personal and national life can seem daunting. But I would argue that the much bigger risk is leaving that responsibility with Westminster."
"Should we continue to have the status of a region, lobbying Westminster in the hope that the UK government will protect our interests and promote our values?
Ms Sturgeon also said the Treasury's pledge to honour all UK government debt up to the date of potential Scottish independence indicated that "common sense" will prevail in other post-independence negotiations, including on keeping the pound and joining the European Union.
"Or should we have the powers and status of an independent country, able to engage directly with the international community."
She said: "If the UK government can accept the common sense position on debt, then there is no reason why they should not accept the common sense position that Scotland and the UK should share a currency.
On Friday, Mr Hague and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander launch a UK government paper in on the EU and international issues in Glasgow.
"Or that Scotland's continuing membership of Europe can be agreed in the way we have set out in the White Paper.
It will argue the UK has one of the world's most extensive and well-respected diplomatic networks, employing more than 14,000 people in 267 embassies, high commissions and consulates in 154 countries and 12 overseas territories.
"The barriers the No campaign have sought to build all fall down when faced with simple logic and common sense."
The paper will also stress that Scotland-based businesses benefit from efforts to protect the UK's economic interests, like defending Scotch whisky against counterfeiting.
On Friday, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander will be in Glasgow to launch a paper on the EU and international issues.
It will also look at the implications of an independent Scotland's membership of organisations like Nato.
It is the first UK government analysis to be published since the launch of the Scottish government's White Paper in November.
The foreign secretary, said: "I believe that we are safer and stronger together, and that together we can do more good in the world."
It will focus on the UK's diplomatic network and how businesses based in Scotland, and other parts of the UK, can be protected.
It is expected to highlight the work of the UK government to help industries such as Scotch whisky against the problems of counterfeits, discrimination and excessive taxation.
Speaking ahead of the launch Mr Hague said: "At the start of a momentous year for Scotland, I look forward to coming to Glasgow this week for the launch of this paper.
"I believe that we are safer and stronger together, and that together we can do more good in the world."
