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Scottish independence: Brown sets out more powers timetable Scottish independence: Brown sets out more powers timetable
(35 minutes later)
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has set out a timetable for boosting the Scottish Parliament's powers if voters reject independence.Former prime minister Gordon Brown has set out a timetable for boosting the Scottish Parliament's powers if voters reject independence.
Mr Brown said a "No" vote would be the "starting gun" for Holyrood to be handed greater control over finance, welfare and taxation.Mr Brown said a "No" vote would be the "starting gun" for Holyrood to be handed greater control over finance, welfare and taxation.
It is understood the three main Westminster parties will formally back Mr Brown's proposals on Tuesday.It is understood the three main Westminster parties will formally back Mr Brown's proposals on Tuesday.
The SNP has said the "No" campaign is in a state of "absolute panic".The SNP has said the "No" campaign is in a state of "absolute panic".
A Downing Street spokesman said of Mr Brown's announcement: "We welcome this Labour initiative and we are content with the proposed timetable".A Downing Street spokesman said of Mr Brown's announcement: "We welcome this Labour initiative and we are content with the proposed timetable".
On Sunday, Chancellor George Osborne pledged to set out a "plan of action" on the implementation of new powers.On Sunday, Chancellor George Osborne pledged to set out a "plan of action" on the implementation of new powers.
It came in the wake of a YouGov poll which gave the pro-independence campaign a narrow lead for the first time in the campaign ahead of the referendum on 18 September.It came in the wake of a YouGov poll which gave the pro-independence campaign a narrow lead for the first time in the campaign ahead of the referendum on 18 September.
The value of the pound on Monday fell by about 1.3% against the US dollar to a ten-month low of $1.61 in the wake of the poll, while shares in some firms with Scottish links also fell.The value of the pound on Monday fell by about 1.3% against the US dollar to a ten-month low of $1.61 in the wake of the poll, while shares in some firms with Scottish links also fell.
In other developments:In other developments:
A Downing Street source said Mr Brown's timetable "is not a million miles away from our thinking" while another added: "This is in line with the fruits of the cross-party discussions."A Downing Street source said Mr Brown's timetable "is not a million miles away from our thinking" while another added: "This is in line with the fruits of the cross-party discussions."
Labour leader Ed Miliband is to welcome the proposal in a speech to the TUC later, saying he wants to have "the process of further devolution underway right after the referendum".Labour leader Ed Miliband is to welcome the proposal in a speech to the TUC later, saying he wants to have "the process of further devolution underway right after the referendum".
Mr Brown will formally unveil his proposals in a speech at the Loanhead Miners Welfare and Social Club in Midlothian later on Monday.Mr Brown will formally unveil his proposals in a speech at the Loanhead Miners Welfare and Social Club in Midlothian later on Monday.
He said work would begin on the new legislation on 19 September, the day after the vote.He said work would begin on the new legislation on 19 September, the day after the vote.
Analysis: Kamal Ahmed, BBC business editor Analysis: Norman Smith, BBC assistant political editor
The poll by YouGov in The Sunday Times at the weekend has led to an "intensifying debate on how to react", according to a very senior business figure close to this debate I spoke to this morning. Despite the apparent momentum building behind the Yes campaign, Downing Street insists there will be no change of strategy, no surge of announcements, no rush of ministerial visits.
Two banking sources have also revealed that bank branches north of the border have started holding more cash at branches, in case members of the public decide they want to take out their money. Instead, the UK government intends to stick doggedly to its core strategy of warning about the economic dangers of separation and doubts about a future Scottish currency. No 10 hopes this, coupled with the promise of more powers for Scotland, will be enough to save the Union.
That is how seriously the banks themselves, and the Bank of England (which has been informed about this cash move), are taking the possibility of a Yes vote on 18 September. But among MPs on all sides, there is mounting anxiety. One senior Tory told me it was "typical last-minute panic from Cameron and Osborne".
Let's be clear. There appears to be no evidence yet of "deposit flight" - people moving money to English domiciled banks. And sources have said that moving some additional cash to branches is often a reaction to electorally volatile situations - a close general election, for example. Anxiety centres on what is seen as a lack of passion and a call for Mr Cameron to inject more emotion into the case for the union, to talk less about sterling and more about family and values.
But financial institutions are preparing for all eventualities with movements of cash (a very small percentage of the liquidity they hold) and short-term buffer arrangements, should the need arise. There are also demands for the prime minister to show more urgency, to sweep aside the rest of his diary and to focus solely on Scotland.
Read more from Kamal As for Ed Miliband, there are similar worries that he has failed to shore up the Labour vote and made little impact in its Scottish heartlands.
In short, leaders may not be panicking just yet but there are plenty of their MPs who are already deeply fearful that the break-up of the union may be just 10 days away.
He envisions a "command paper" to be published by the present UK government setting out all the proposals for change no later than the end of October.He envisions a "command paper" to be published by the present UK government setting out all the proposals for change no later than the end of October.
A white paper would be drawn up in November after a period of consultation, with draft clauses for legislation expected in January.A white paper would be drawn up in November after a period of consultation, with draft clauses for legislation expected in January.
Mr Brown said: "The alternative to an irreversible separation is a more powerful Scottish Parliament with a timetable for its delivery.Mr Brown said: "The alternative to an irreversible separation is a more powerful Scottish Parliament with a timetable for its delivery.
"Quite simply, Scottish voters deserve to know to the fullest extent possible about how new powers as ambitious as possible will be delivered as soon as possible within the UK."Quite simply, Scottish voters deserve to know to the fullest extent possible about how new powers as ambitious as possible will be delivered as soon as possible within the UK.
"So, we are demanding a tight timetable with tough deadlines and streamlined procedures."So, we are demanding a tight timetable with tough deadlines and streamlined procedures.
"A No vote on September 18 will not be an end point but the starting gun for action on 19 September, when straight away we will kick off a plan to deliver the enhanced devolution that we want."A No vote on September 18 will not be an end point but the starting gun for action on 19 September, when straight away we will kick off a plan to deliver the enhanced devolution that we want.
"On 19 September we will start bringing into law the new, stronger Scottish Parliament, and to secure the change we want we will work with the other parties."On 19 September we will start bringing into law the new, stronger Scottish Parliament, and to secure the change we want we will work with the other parties.
'Party leaders' Analysis: Kamal Ahmed, BBC business editor
The poll by YouGov in The Sunday Times at the weekend has led to an "intensifying debate on how to react", according to a very senior business figure close to this debate I spoke to this morning.
Two banking sources have also revealed that bank branches north of the border have started holding more cash at branches, in case members of the public decide they want to take out their money.
That is how seriously the banks themselves, and the Bank of England (which has been informed about this cash move), are taking the possibility of a Yes vote on 18 September.
Let's be clear. There appears to be no evidence yet of "deposit flight" - people moving money to English domiciled banks. And sources have said that moving some additional cash to branches is often a reaction to electorally volatile situations - a close general election, for example.
But financial institutions are preparing for all eventualities with movements of cash (a very small percentage of the liquidity they hold) and short-term buffer arrangements, should the need arise.
Read more from Kamal
Mr Brown said Labour was "taking the initiative" by putting forward the timetable.Mr Brown said Labour was "taking the initiative" by putting forward the timetable.
Speaking ahead of Mr Brown's announcement, Alistair Darling, the head of the pro-UK Better Together campaign, stressed that no new powers would be put on the table beyond those already announced by the three main Westminster parties earlier this year.Speaking ahead of Mr Brown's announcement, Alistair Darling, the head of the pro-UK Better Together campaign, stressed that no new powers would be put on the table beyond those already announced by the three main Westminster parties earlier this year.
He added: "The additional powers coming to the Scottish Parliament were announced by the party leaders, north and south of the border, some time ago.He added: "The additional powers coming to the Scottish Parliament were announced by the party leaders, north and south of the border, some time ago.
"People have said, 'Yes we want to know the timetable and the process' and that is something the government is going to announce this week."People have said, 'Yes we want to know the timetable and the process' and that is something the government is going to announce this week.
"But remember this, this is a referendum on whether or not we stay on the United Kingdom. It is not a referendum on what further powers we are going to get. We are going to get them anyway, if we stay in the United Kingdom."But remember this, this is a referendum on whether or not we stay on the United Kingdom. It is not a referendum on what further powers we are going to get. We are going to get them anyway, if we stay in the United Kingdom.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said plans to increase the powers of the devolved Edinburgh parliament were a "panicky measure" announced without credibility, because the Yes Scotland campaign for independence was "winning on the ground".Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said plans to increase the powers of the devolved Edinburgh parliament were a "panicky measure" announced without credibility, because the Yes Scotland campaign for independence was "winning on the ground".
Speaking on behalf of Yes Scotland, former Scottish Labour Party chairman and Labour for Independence campaigner Bob Thomson said: "This smacks of utter panic and desperation by the 'No' campaign as they lose their lead in the polls.Speaking on behalf of Yes Scotland, former Scottish Labour Party chairman and Labour for Independence campaigner Bob Thomson said: "This smacks of utter panic and desperation by the 'No' campaign as they lose their lead in the polls.
"Gordon Brown is in no position to offer anything - he is a backbench MP, and the Tories are in power at Westminster."Gordon Brown is in no position to offer anything - he is a backbench MP, and the Tories are in power at Westminster.
"The choice is to vote Yes for all the powers we need to create jobs and protect Scotland's NHS - or No for a Tory-led talking shop."The choice is to vote Yes for all the powers we need to create jobs and protect Scotland's NHS - or No for a Tory-led talking shop.
"The people of Scotland will not trust the Tories to deliver powers that in any event fall far short of what we need. The sure fire way to achieve the full range of powers Scotland needs to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy is to vote Yes a week on Thursday.""The people of Scotland will not trust the Tories to deliver powers that in any event fall far short of what we need. The sure fire way to achieve the full range of powers Scotland needs to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy is to vote Yes a week on Thursday."
What are the No parties offering?What are the No parties offering?
What are the issues of the referendum?What are the issues of the referendum?
As the people of Scotland weigh up how to vote in the independence referendum, they are asking questions on a range of topics.As the people of Scotland weigh up how to vote in the independence referendum, they are asking questions on a range of topics.
But what issues are important? Explore our special Scotland Decides website, where you find more on the economy; energy; pensions; citizenship; relations with the rest of the UK; EU membership; defence and broadcasting.But what issues are important? Explore our special Scotland Decides website, where you find more on the economy; energy; pensions; citizenship; relations with the rest of the UK; EU membership; defence and broadcasting.
Elsewhere, Mr Miliband will on Monday thank trade unions at the TUC general dinner in Liverpool for their work on the Better Together campaign.Elsewhere, Mr Miliband will on Monday thank trade unions at the TUC general dinner in Liverpool for their work on the Better Together campaign.
He will say the unions have signed a joint statement, "declaring that our strength comes from staying together and that separation would damage the rights and conditions of working people".He will say the unions have signed a joint statement, "declaring that our strength comes from staying together and that separation would damage the rights and conditions of working people".