Scotland 'ready for new powers'

Dec 3 2012

Pro-independence campaigners will show over the next year that Scotland is "the most prepared nation in the world" for gaining new powers, the Deputy First Minister will tell an audience of business leaders.

Nicola Sturgeon, who is leading the Scottish Government's independence drive, will speak in front of civic groups, business leaders and members of the international community at an event which the SNP administration has described as "a significant speech" and a "major address".

She will tell the audience at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow that the "overwhelming objective" of independence is to benefit the current and future generations.

"Over the next 12 months, as we approach the publication of the independence White Paper, through a range of papers, speeches and events, we will show how we would set about that task," she will say.

"We will set out the 'how' of bringing the powers home. These will cover issues like the macro-economic framework, regulation and the transition to an independent welfare system - in other words, the infrastructure of the state.

"Our purpose in this body of work is simple - to show that we will be the most prepared nation in the world gaining new powers, so that the transition is smooth."

In a cabinet reshuffle Ms Sturgeon recently became Secretary for Investment, Infrastructure and Cities, with specific responsibility for the constitution.

She will also use the speech to pose key questions in the referendum debate.

"The second strand of our work over the next 12 months will be to lay out our ideas - and open up for wider debate - the ways in which the powers of independence can be used to address the deep seated challenges in our economy and society.

"How do we build a sustainable economy and a fair society? How do we get our economy growing and ensure that the proceeds of that growth benefit the many not the few? What changes will we make to tax and welfare to incentivise hard work and protect the vulnerable? How will we close the gap between rich and poor? How do we, once and for all, end the scandal of child poverty in energy rich Scotland?"