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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| SNP to outline referendum plans | SNP to outline referendum plans |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will announce an independence referendum bill as the centrepiece of the SNP's plans for the coming year. | |
| Ministers are also planning legislation on minimum pricing for alcohol and the new Forth bridge. | Ministers are also planning legislation on minimum pricing for alcohol and the new Forth bridge. |
| However, the referendum plan as it stands would be rejected because of a lack of parliamentary support. | However, the referendum plan as it stands would be rejected because of a lack of parliamentary support. |
| Mr Salmond will reveal details of a total of 13 bills, marking the start of the SNP's third legislative session. | Mr Salmond will reveal details of a total of 13 bills, marking the start of the SNP's third legislative session. |
| Other measures will include housing and crofting reform. | Other measures will include housing and crofting reform. |
| The announcements will be followed by a parliamentary debate at Holyrood. | The announcements will be followed by a parliamentary debate at Holyrood. |
| Referendum options | Referendum options |
| The government wants to stage the independence referendum in 2010, and has urged Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats not to deny voters the right to a say on independence. | The government wants to stage the independence referendum in 2010, and has urged Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats not to deny voters the right to a say on independence. |
| Mr Salmond has suggested an option to increase the Scottish Parliament's powers, in the wake of the Calman Commission review of devolution, could be included in the referendum. | Mr Salmond has suggested an option to increase the Scottish Parliament's powers, in the wake of the Calman Commission review of devolution, could be included in the referendum. |
| Meanwhile, the government's minimum pricing strategy aims to stop high-strength alcohol being sold for "pocket money prices" without affecting premium products like Scotch whisky. | Meanwhile, the government's minimum pricing strategy aims to stop high-strength alcohol being sold for "pocket money prices" without affecting premium products like Scotch whisky. |
| That plan has also run into opposition, but ministers said tough action must be taken to cut the cost of Scotland's alcohol problem, which they estimate costs the country £2.25bn per year. | That plan has also run into opposition, but ministers said tough action must be taken to cut the cost of Scotland's alcohol problem, which they estimate costs the country £2.25bn per year. |
| The proposed pricing changes have also won support from the UK's four chief medical officers. | The proposed pricing changes have also won support from the UK's four chief medical officers. |
| Labour has claimed an independence referendum would destabilise an already faltering economy, and said ministers needed to take more action to cope with the recession. | Labour has claimed an independence referendum would destabilise an already faltering economy, and said ministers needed to take more action to cope with the recession. |
| The Tories said the legislative programme showed the SNP was "failing Scotland", while the Liberal Democrats said it was not "worthy" of the Scottish Parliament. | The Tories said the legislative programme showed the SNP was "failing Scotland", while the Liberal Democrats said it was not "worthy" of the Scottish Parliament. |
| But the SNP claimed it was building on success, having already delivered half its "headline" election manifesto commitments in government. | But the SNP claimed it was building on success, having already delivered half its "headline" election manifesto commitments in government. |
| These included freezing council tax, cutting business rates, abolishing bridge tolls and scrapping tuition fees. | These included freezing council tax, cutting business rates, abolishing bridge tolls and scrapping tuition fees. |