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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scottish independence: Campaigns seize on Scotland powers pledge | Scottish independence: Campaigns seize on Scotland powers pledge |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Both sides in the Scottish independence referendum debate have seized on a pledge by the three main Westminster parties to devolve more powers. | Both sides in the Scottish independence referendum debate have seized on a pledge by the three main Westminster parties to devolve more powers. |
| The pledge, signed by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, also promises equitable sharing of resources and preserving the Barnett funding formula. | The pledge, signed by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, also promises equitable sharing of resources and preserving the Barnett funding formula. |
| The "Yes" campaign described it as an "insult" to voters and asked why it had taken so long to offer. | The "Yes" campaign described it as an "insult" to voters and asked why it had taken so long to offer. |
| "Better Together" said it was "a vision around which Scotland can unite". | "Better Together" said it was "a vision around which Scotland can unite". |
| In other developments: | |
| The pledge signed by the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem leaders appears on the front of the Daily Record newspaper. | The pledge signed by the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem leaders appears on the front of the Daily Record newspaper. |
| The first part of the agreement promises "extensive new powers" for the Scottish Parliament "delivered by the process and to the timetable agreed" by the three parties. | The first part of the agreement promises "extensive new powers" for the Scottish Parliament "delivered by the process and to the timetable agreed" by the three parties. |
| The second says the leaders agree that "the UK exists to ensure opportunity and security for all by sharing our resources equitably". | The second says the leaders agree that "the UK exists to ensure opportunity and security for all by sharing our resources equitably". |
| The third "categorically states" that the final say on funding for the NHS will lie with the Scottish government "because of the continuation of the Barnett allocation for resources, and the powers of the Scottish Parliament to raise revenue". | The third "categorically states" that the final say on funding for the NHS will lie with the Scottish government "because of the continuation of the Barnett allocation for resources, and the powers of the Scottish Parliament to raise revenue". |
| The Barnett formula is the method used to determine the distribution of public spending around the UK. | The Barnett formula is the method used to determine the distribution of public spending around the UK. |
| Speaking on BBC Breakfast for Yes Scotland, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon derided the timing and sincerity of the pledge. | Speaking on BBC Breakfast for Yes Scotland, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon derided the timing and sincerity of the pledge. |
| She said: "If there was a serious intention to deliver more powers, why hasn't that happened before now? | She said: "If there was a serious intention to deliver more powers, why hasn't that happened before now? |
| "Tory MPs, including Christopher Chope, have already said they would block more powers. If we vote 'No', there are no guarantees at all." | "Tory MPs, including Christopher Chope, have already said they would block more powers. If we vote 'No', there are no guarantees at all." |
| She added: "They [the pro-Union parties] are treating voters in Scotland with contempt." | She added: "They [the pro-Union parties] are treating voters in Scotland with contempt." |
| Asked how a "Yes" vote guarantee "better lives" for people in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon replied: "Independence is not a magic wand, but it is a massive opportunity. | Asked how a "Yes" vote guarantee "better lives" for people in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon replied: "Independence is not a magic wand, but it is a massive opportunity. |
| "We can make life better, not overnight, but over time." | "We can make life better, not overnight, but over time." |
| Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, speaking for Better Together, denied the powers pledge had come too late in the referendum debate. | Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, speaking for Better Together, denied the powers pledge had come too late in the referendum debate. |
| Penultimate day | Penultimate day |
| Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: "Here in Scotland, we have been talking about these powers for many months. What we are saying today is we can have the best of both worlds. We can have a stronger Scottish parliament but with the strength, stability and security of the United Kingdom. | Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: "Here in Scotland, we have been talking about these powers for many months. What we are saying today is we can have the best of both worlds. We can have a stronger Scottish parliament but with the strength, stability and security of the United Kingdom. |
| "That pledge, that vow that we can have faster, safer, better change is actually a vision around which Scotland can unite." | "That pledge, that vow that we can have faster, safer, better change is actually a vision around which Scotland can unite." |
| He added: "I don't think there's any embarrassment about placing policies on the front page of papers with just days to go. I think the 'Yes' campaign are struggling. | He added: "I don't think there's any embarrassment about placing policies on the front page of papers with just days to go. I think the 'Yes' campaign are struggling. |
| "The economic risks suddenly became very real last week, and at the same time we are offering what I believe most of us here in Scotland want, which is faster, safer and better change." | |
| Mr Alexander dismissed "Yes" campaign claims that independence is the only way to get the government Scotland votes for. | Mr Alexander dismissed "Yes" campaign claims that independence is the only way to get the government Scotland votes for. |
| The pledges were first outlined by the former prime minister, Gordon Brown, on Monday and subsequently endorsed by the three main unionist parties in Scotland. | The pledges were first outlined by the former prime minister, Gordon Brown, on Monday and subsequently endorsed by the three main unionist parties in Scotland. |
| On the penultimate day of campaigning ahead of Thursday's referendum, the "Yes" side will focus on jobs and the NHS, while the "No" side will promise change and a "better Britain". | On the penultimate day of campaigning ahead of Thursday's referendum, the "Yes" side will focus on jobs and the NHS, while the "No" side will promise change and a "better Britain". |
| Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary John Swinney will meet apprentices at an engineering firm in Renfrew. They will argue that independence will allow Scotland's economy to grow, creating jobs and opportunities. | Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary John Swinney will meet apprentices at an engineering firm in Renfrew. They will argue that independence will allow Scotland's economy to grow, creating jobs and opportunities. |
| Ms Sturgeon will then join carers to talk about the NHS and welfare reform. | Ms Sturgeon will then join carers to talk about the NHS and welfare reform. |
| Jobs highlighted | Jobs highlighted |
| Ahead of the visit, she said: "In just two days' time, polling stations will open and voters across the country will hold Scotland's future in their hands. Independence is our opportunity to build a better future - creating jobs and protecting our NHS. | Ahead of the visit, she said: "In just two days' time, polling stations will open and voters across the country will hold Scotland's future in their hands. Independence is our opportunity to build a better future - creating jobs and protecting our NHS. |
| "Only a 'Yes' vote will ensure we have full powers over job creation - enabling us to create more and better jobs across the country. So instead of almost 40,000 young people leaving Scotland each year as is currently the case, there will be more opportunities for our young people here at home. | "Only a 'Yes' vote will ensure we have full powers over job creation - enabling us to create more and better jobs across the country. So instead of almost 40,000 young people leaving Scotland each year as is currently the case, there will be more opportunities for our young people here at home. |
| "As part of the UK, our NHS budget faces knock-on impacts of the privatisation, cuts and charging agenda that is ripping the health service south of the border to bits. With a 'Yes' vote we can ensure our NHS is protected for future generations by enshrining it in our written constitution." | "As part of the UK, our NHS budget faces knock-on impacts of the privatisation, cuts and charging agenda that is ripping the health service south of the border to bits. With a 'Yes' vote we can ensure our NHS is protected for future generations by enshrining it in our written constitution." |
| Labour leader Ed Miliband and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be out on the campaign trail for Better Together. | Labour leader Ed Miliband and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be out on the campaign trail for Better Together. |
| Mr Miliband will say a vote for independence will be "an irreversible decision" and "a risk to jobs, the economy and the NHS" and he will highlight the offer of more powers from the pro-Union parties. | Mr Miliband will say a vote for independence will be "an irreversible decision" and "a risk to jobs, the economy and the NHS" and he will highlight the offer of more powers from the pro-Union parties. |
| He is expected to say: "In the next 48 hours Scotland faces a historic decision which will shape its future and the whole of the UK's future for centuries to come. | He is expected to say: "In the next 48 hours Scotland faces a historic decision which will shape its future and the whole of the UK's future for centuries to come. |
| "The will of the people of Scotland for economic and political change has been heard and we will deliver. | "The will of the people of Scotland for economic and political change has been heard and we will deliver. |
| "Change is coming with more powers on tax and welfare for the Scottish Parliament. | "Change is coming with more powers on tax and welfare for the Scottish Parliament. |
| "We will change the British state too, the House of Lords and the way we work together across our nations. I ask the people of Scotland to lead that change of our whole British constitution." | "We will change the British state too, the House of Lords and the way we work together across our nations. I ask the people of Scotland to lead that change of our whole British constitution." |