Nicola Sturgeon announces post-independence investment of £20bn
The SNP leader also announced more financial support for Scotland's poorest families in time for Christmas
Nicola Sturgeon has announced £20 billion worth of investment will be delivered in the first decade of Scottish independence.
The First Minister addressed delegates as she closed the SNP conference in Aberdeen on Monday, giving a glimpse into proposals that will be set out in an upcoming paper from the Scottish Government.
"Building a New Scotland"
The third report in its "Building a New Scotland" document series will be released next week and will focus on economic issues.
The Building a New Scotland Fund will be set up with remaining oil revenues and the use of borrowing powers in order to "kick-start the sustainable economic growth so important for our newly independent nation", the First Minister said.
She said: "A fund like this could support a massive programme to decarbonise housing, cut fuel bills and reduce fuel poverty.
"It could finance the building of thousands more affordable homes, invest in local renewable energy projects, helping communities own assets and wield more influence over their use.
"It will help the transition to net zero, build resilient communities, and kick-start the sustainable economic growth so important for our newly independent nation."
"a partnership of equals"
Ms Sturgeon told delegates that independence will create a "partnership of equals" in the UK, and said the nations of the UK and the Republic of Ireland will "always be the closest of friends, always be family".
But she took a swipe at the UK Government for "utterly failing" in its duty to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
She told the conference: "When global turbulence strikes, national governments have a duty to act in ways that mitigate - rather than exacerbate - the impacts on their own populations.
"When it comes to the cost-of-living crisis, and so much else besides, this UK Government is utterly failing in that duty.
"Each and every day its actions are making matters worse."
Ms Sturgeon told the conference that she intends on being First Minister "for quite some time yet".
She said: "For as long as I am First Minister - and by the way, conference, I intend that to be for quite some time yet - my job - our job - is not done.
More support for Scotland's poorest families
During her speech the First Minister also announced extra financial support for some of Scotland’s poorest families.
The final instalment of the Bridging Payment will be doubled to £260.
"That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people," Nicola Sturgeon told the SNP conference.
"I don't pretend it will make all of their worries go away - no government with our limited powers can ever do that.
"But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most."
Opponents react to SNP leader's speech
The Scottish Conservatives have criticised "skewed priorities" from the First Minister after her speech, with leader Douglas Ross labelling it "narrow" and "independence-obsessed".
Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie meanwhile said the First Minister had "doubled down on the politics of division".
Ms Baillie, the party's deputy leader, said: "I can't help but agree with one line of Nicola Sturgeon's speech today - she and the SNP can do better.
"She had the chance to set out a vision to use the power already in her hands to deal with the problems facing Scotland, instead she doubled down on the politics of division.”
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