A new leaflet on Scottish independence will be unveiled later

The SNP is urging Scots to be "optimistic and hopeful" as the party launches a new leaflet on independence.

Just over a decade after the independence referendum, First Minister John Swinney will join fellow MSPs and campaigners in Glasgow for what the SNP describes as a national "day of action" by the party.

The leaflet highlights five key things independence supporters say would be different if Scotland was no longer part of the UK, pledging this would result in cheaper energy prices and the removal of nuclear weapons from Scotland's waters.

It also promises in an independent Scotland the NHS would always be free at the point of use, economic growth would be boosted by no longer being part of a "broken Westminster system" and Scots would always get the government they vote for.

Bob Doris, the SNP MSP for Springburn and Maryhill in Glasgow, will be campaigning with the First Minister on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of that he said: "Scotland has for too long been held back by Westminster. It's time to once again be optimistic and hopeful about our future as an independent nation."

Speaking about work being done by the SNP in government at Holyrood, Mr Doris added: "From a social security system rooted in fairness and respect - which has delivered the transformational Scottish Child Payment - to the Scottish National Investment Bank supercharging our journey towards net zero, we are building better institutions which will be the foundation of an independent Scotland.

"And the results are clear. We are lifting 100,000 children out of poverty, leading progress on tackling climate change, offering the best childcare in the UK and paying public sector workers record wages."

He insisted: "Scotland has the resources and skills to be a better country, but we are tied to a failing and declining UK state, and we are about to see Labour austerity and cuts to vital support like the winter fuel payment for pensioners as a result."

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