Nicola Sturgeon set to "restart the debate" on Scottish independence

Nicola Sturgeon is set to "restart the debate" on Scottish independence with the publication of the SNP’s economic growth commission report later this week.

Appearing on ITV's Peston on Sunday, the First Minister said the report, which is expected outline the economic policy options which would be available to an independent Scotland, would help “restart a debate about why independence for Scotland is an opportunity and what those opportunities are”.

Reports in the Sunday Post suggest the 400-page report will recommend moving towards a Scottish currency but argue that an independent Scotland could initially use sterling on an unofficial basis.

Sturgeon said: "Once we get some clarity, which hopefully we will in the autumn of this year, about the Brexit outcome and the future relationship between the UK and the EU then I will consider again this question of the timing of an independence referendum.

"I'm not going to say more about that in advance of that moment arising.

"But of course over the next couple of weeks we will, I suppose, restart a debate about why independence for Scotland is an opportunity and what those opportunities are.

"As you know we've had a growth commission looking at the economic opportunities of independence.

"Its report will be published in the coming days and I think that's quite an important moment, because if you think about the last couple of years in the UK it has been very much a debate about how we cope with the damage of Brexit.

"What I think Scotland now has the opportunity to do is look at how we seize the opportunities that lie ahead, so a debate based very much on ambition and hope not a debate that's based on despair, which is how the Brexit debate so often feels."

Sturgeon established the growth commission in 2016 to make recommendations on monetary policy for an independent Scotland.

But her comments came under fire from Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, who is set to use a speech at the Policy Exchange later today to argue that “we all need to give a little more care and attention to maintaining the union”.

Meanwhile Scottish Labour leader Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “Scotland needs real and radical change – looking forwards not back.

“The economic and social transformation Scotland urgently needs will not come from another referendum on leaving the UK – on which the sovereign will of the Scottish people has been clearly expressed.”

Writing ahead of her speech, Davidson said: “Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, has staked her reputation within the SNP on delivering a second attempt. All the indicators are that she wants to press ahead and seize the shot at history that eluded her predecessor Alex Salmond. It is unlikely Ms Sturgeon’s latest efforts will be met with enthusiasm from Scottish voters.

“People are weary after more than a decade of SNP rule, in which grievance politics have taken precedence over schools, the economy and building a sustainable health service. And, contrary to popular belief, Brexit has not eroded support for the UK despite a majority of Scots voting for Remain. If anything it has reminded folks that constitutional change brings insecurity and uncertainty."