First Minister's speech: 'Now let us go and win independence'

The First Minister promised to launch a new Social Justice and Fairness Commission to “set out how the proceeds of economic growth in an independent Scotland can be shared much more fairly”.

In her keynote speech to the SNP’s Spring Conference in Edinburgh, Sturgeon said the new body, based on the foundations of Andrew Wilson’s Growth Commission, would “demonstrate how we can use the powers of independence to end poverty, achieve full employment, and drive equality for all.”

“We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but we will only be a truly rich society when we ensure that not a single man, woman or child has to rely on a food bank to eat,” the SNP leader told delegates.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon uses conference speech to pledge huge indy campaign

It would, she said, follow on from the “biggest campaign on the economics of independence” in the party’s history.

The SNP leader told delegates that they would distribute a household guide to an independent Scotland “to every home across the country – all 2.4 million of them.”

“So friends,” she told the 2500 activists in the hall, “you know what that means, it’s time to get your jackets on.”

Sturgeon’s focus on the economy followed a crunch debate on Saturday, where members amended leadership plans for a new currency in an independent Scotland.

Delegates mandated an SNP government in an independent Scotland to replace the pound with a separate Scottish currency “as soon as practicable”.

In her speech yesterday Sturgeon said the next campaign could not be a re-run of 2014.

“The UK that existed then does not exist any more. Our approach must be different.

“We should not enter this campaign thinking of people as No voters or Yes voters, Remainers or Leavers, but as fellow citizens who all want the best for ourselves, our families and for Scotland’s future.

“We must acknowledge the ties of family and friendship across the UK. And step up to the challenge of answering people’s questions.”

The First Minister also became the first leader of any government in the UK to declare a “climate emergency.”

That’s been one of the key demands of the Extinction Rebellion campaigners who have brought London to a halt in recent weeks.

Sturgeon promised that Scotland would “live up to our responsibility to tackle it.”

That would include adopting any recommendations in the Committee on Climate Change’s new scientific advice on Scotland’s targets, due to be published later this week.

“If that advice says we can go further or go faster, we will do so. Scotland will lead by example,” Sturgeon promised.

Elsewhere the First Minister announced plans to introduce new regulations to tackle Airbnb, which has grown in Edinburgh city centre.

The First Minister said the Government were looking for views on a new system of regulation to make short-term lets subject to the same controls as other accommodation, and to give councils the power to control the number of lets and ensure they make a contribution to the services they use.

READ MORE: READ: Nicola Sturgeon's full speech from the SNP Spring Conference

There was also the plan for a new £150m scheme to help first time buyers get a deposit for a new house.

Starting later this year, up to £25,000 will be available to help buyers who can find 5% of the value of their new house from their own funds.

She also announced plans to extend the Best Start Grant, which offers payments of £600 for low-income families on the birth of a first child, and £300 for a second.

“In just the first two months of the Best Start Grant, the Scottish Government got more money into people’s pockets than the DWP had managed under the old system in an entire year,” Sturgeon said. New measures will see low-income families able to claim a further £250 when their child starts nursery, and another £250 when they start school.

Sturgeon also announced a consultation on how to ensure Scotland is meeting the UN’s gold standard on children’s rights, in time for independence.

“Children’s rights will be enshrined in statute in time for Scotland to re-join the family of independent nations.”

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie welcomed the Extinction Rebellion announcement but suggested the SNP was being a tad hypocritical: “It’s welcome to hear the First Minister declare a climate emergency, even though her MSPs all voted against our calls to tackle it and watered down our Green New Deal proposals in the past few weeks because they can’t bring themselves to stop backing the airlines and the oil and gas industry.”

Adam Tomkins from the Scottish Tories accused the First Minister of being “more interested in her party’s narrow priorities” and “not those of the majority in Scotland.”

That line was echoed by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard who said Sturgeon was “more interested in uniting her party than uniting our country.”

Find out more about our 10,000 Steps independence campaign here.