Bill to set out timing of Scottish independence referendum to be published within a year

Nicola Sturgeon has today unveiled plans to publish legislation setting out the “terms and timing” for a second independence referendum.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Sighthill NHS Community Treatment and Assessment Centre in Edinburgh to see their work to treat more patients in the community.

The First Minister told MSPs at Holyrood today that a Bill will be unveiled before the next Holyrood elections in May, as she set out her Programme for Government for the coming year.

Live: Nicola Sturgeon announces Programme for Government

The SNP leader also set out plans for a new NHS contact tracing App to suppress Coronavirus and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to save jobs and prop up the country’s battered economy as a result of lockdown.

The proposed legislation for a repeat of the 2014 referendum could prove controversial because control over the constitution is reserved to Westminster.

"Brexit – and the way in which it is being implemented – immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country, with the ability to shape our own destiny and contribute positively to the world,” Ms Sturgeon told MSPs.

Independence referendum is not imminent says SNP

An independent Scotland could extend the job Retention Scheme, Ms Sturgeon added, as well as increasing Holyrood’s borrowing powers, and develop renewables more quickly.

"Brexit – and the way in which it is being implemented – immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country, with the ability to shape our own destiny and contribute positively to the world,” Ms Sturgeon said to applause from Nationalist MSPs at Holyrood.

"And then at next year’s election, we will make the case for Scotland to become an independent country, and seek a clear endorsement of Scotland’s right to choose our own future.”

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross responded by tweeting: "The First Minister just doesn't get it.

"We need to take Scotland forward and recover from this crisis together, not go back to the divisions of the past."

Meanwhile Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said the proposed draft Referendum Bill was a "reckless announcement" which shows the First Minister's "top priority is to divide the people of Scotland".

The Labour MP said: "All her focus should be on post-Covid recovery, not returning to the old politics of division that will harm Scotland's society and economy.

"Re-opening the constitutional debate will do nothing to help our NHS recover from the pandemic, or help the children who have lost months of education, or help grow our economy."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said that the announcement of a new Bill on Scottish independence "got the loudest applause of the afternoon" from SNP MSPs, adding: "That tells you all about their priorities."

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