Independent Scotland would face currency problem

The nation of five million will hold an independence referendum on September 18, 2014, at the instigation of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which runs the country’s devolved government.

Pro-independence campaigners say Scotland would keep the pound, at least in the early years of independence, and could later hold a sovereign debate on whether to switch to its own currency.

But Osborne and his deputy Danny Alexander, who is Scottish, said in a joint article that monetary union would not work as well in “a disunited kingdom”.

“The pound we share now works and it works well. Under independence all the alternatives are second best. So our question to the nationalists – are you really saying second best is good enough for Scotland?” the two men wrote.

As things stand, opinion polls suggest about 30 percent of Scottish voters favour independence while 50 percent would stick with the status quo, but those who want Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom are not taking victory for granted.

The central government in London will publish on Tuesday a detailed analysis of the implications on currency of Scottish independence. The article by Osborne and Alexander sought to make the case against independence ahead of that report.

It said that if an independent Scotland kept the pound and thus had its monetary policy set by the Bank of England, that would amount to “handing over to what would become a foreign government key decisions over the Scottish economy”.

“This is one of the big contradictions in their (the nationalists’) whole economic approach,” the article said.

“Campaigning to ‘bring powers home’ with one hand, while giving them away with the other … It simply doesn’t add up.”

Osborne and Alexander accused SNP ministers of “tying themselves in knots” over the currency issue because in their heart of hearts they knew that economic and political union across the United Kingdom worked well.

In a speech delivered in Scotland last week, Alexander said the euro zone crisis had shown that combining monetary union with fiscal independence was challenging.

“While such arrangements can appear successful in a period of stability, they can lead to brutal readjustments in times of economic stress and uncertainty,” he said.

Osborne’s Conservative Party and Alexander’s Liberal Democrats are both against independence but are not dominant forces in Scottish politics. The opposition Labour Party, traditionally a major force there, also opposes independence.

Source: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/20/uk-britain-scotland-currency-idUKBRE93J0K020130420

Scotland has an issue with anti-Catholicism

Amazingly, discussion of the subject tends not to be about how best to tackle it but rather about whether or not it exists.

It is both bizarre and frustrating to see that a matter of objective fact – based on, among other data, Crown Office conviction statistics – proving that anti-Catholicism is demonstrably present in Scotland, is treated as a matter of opinion or a “point of view”.

Society, as far as I can see, does not do this with any other topic. When considering, for example, childhood obesity, smoking-related cancer and violence against women, it may be a minority who are affected … but that reality is never proposed as a challenge to the fact that a measurable problem exists. Why is the threshold so high for anti-Catholicism? And why can’t discussion focus on how we tackle this problem?

Many Catholics are utterly exasperated at a seemingly wilful denial of a clearly catalogued problem and a complete disinclination to challenge it within wider society, while column inches are constantly given to deniers.

It is very important in discussing this topic that the anecdotal does not substitute for the empirical. Were you to ask a cross-section of women if they’d ever experienced sexism and found that a number had not, you wouldn’t be justified in concluding “sexism may not exist”.

Health studies generally indicate that between 17% and 25% of smokers develop cancer. If you asked a sample of smokers if they’d developed cancer, statistically around 80% wouldn’t, yet no-one would conclude: “smoking-related cancer probably doesn’t exist”.

To assess such matters, it is important that we steer away from anecdotal and personal experiences and follow a far more rigorous factual methodology.

The empirical evidence is clear: The Act of Settlement of 1701, together with Article II of the Treaty of Union of 1707, prohibits a Catholic from ever becoming head of state.

An analysis of convictions under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003) which created the offence of “aggravated sectarianism” consistently shows that religious hate crimes against Catholics are more numerous than hate crimes against all other religions combined and that Catholics are between five and six times more likely to be subject to such an attack than anyone else.

An opinion poll based on a statistically significant sample of Scottish adults in September 2011 found that 68% of Scots had an “unfavourable” opinion of the Catholic Church, though interestingly there was majority approval for many of the Church’s messages. And 51% did not agree with the statement that “on balance the Catholic church is a force for good”. All the results were dramatically more negative than the polling results for the same questions in England and Wales.

A recent statistical analysis of the Scottish census results reveal significant levels of employment disparity across several occupations and industries, when you compare Catholics with non-Catholics with similar education and qualification standards. Repeated assertions to the contrary based on older and smaller data samples are utterly flawed and completely false.

It is therefore perfectly possible to posit a convincing case for the widespread existence of residual and at times pernicious anti-Catholicism in Scotland to the present day. The cacophony of denials, including by some Catholics, is simply a facet of the problem.

Perhaps we can learn something from the 1999 Lord Macpherson Report and his description of London’s Metropolitan Police Force as “institutionally racist”. However, he also stated that most of the Metropolitan Police are not racists.

A key point from this, seemingly contradictory, set of statements is that the decent non-racist majority did not feel empowered enough to challenge the racist minority – thus leading to the creation of a “canteen culture” of racism.

This mirrors Scotland, where the majority of Scots are not anti-Catholic. However, neither are they minded to recognise and challenge anti-Catholicism in its different forms.

A country where public prosecution statistics show that religious hate crimes against Catholics comprise more cases than all other religious hate crimes combined has an issue with anti-Catholicism. A country where Catholics are statistically at least five times more likely to be subject to such a crime has a problem with anti-Catholicism.

The evidence for widespread occupational disparities for Catholics is simply overwhelming and should no longer be swept under the carpet by apologists who have never experienced it. The time is long overdue for a meaningful honest debate but before any problem is solved, its existence must first be acknowledged.

Source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/scotland-has-an-issue-with-anti-catholicism-thats-a-fact-and-we-have-to-face-it.21235091

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

 

Scottish museums and galleries are a veritable treasure trove of inspiration, home to some of the most coveted art and artifacts in the world. From works by Salvador Dali, Damien Hirst, David Shrigley and Botticelli, there is something to satisfy every artistic palate. No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to one of these thought-provoking spaces. They are the perfect place to gain an understanding of Scottish art, science, history, engineering and culture. And best of all, admission to many of Scotland’s galleries and museums is completely free!

Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s National Gallery Complex covers three major galleries across the city including The National Gallery for Scotland, The Scottish National Gallery for Modern Art and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Here you can see works from artists such as Picasso, Van Gough, Monet and Henry Raeburn. Other museums include the National Museum of Scotland, Museum on the Mound, The Royal Yacht Britannia and the National Library of Scotland.

Glasgow

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is is one of Scotland’s most popular free visitor attractions.  It has 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries, displaying an astonishing 8,000 objects. Some of the highlights include a real RAF spitfire aircraft built in 1944, and Sir Roger the stuffed Asian elephant, one of Kelvingrove’s oldest and best-loved exhibits.

The Glasgow School of Art is Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s living legacy which is still in use by students today. Visitors can take tours around the artist and architect’s former school and become enchanted by the unique and avant-garde style of this Scottish icon.

The Riverside Museum is Scotland’s Museum of Transport and Travel and one of the newest additions to Glasgow’s museum scene. Here you can see over 3,000 exhibits and take a stroll down a recreated Glasgow street from 1895 to 1930.

The Burrell Collection in Glasgow’s Pollock Park displays a staggering range of exhibits from work by major artists such as Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, to important examples of late medieval, Chinese and Islamic art, as well as artefacts from ancient civilizations and much more.

Finally, The Mitchell is one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe, home to over one and a half million titles, including works by and about the Scots poet and author, Robert Burns. The Burns Collection is still being added to and now contains over 5,000 items, It is believed to be one of the largest in the world.

Perth

Perth Museum and Art Gallery is one of the oldest museums in the UK and is home to over half a million exhibits of national interest and houses work ranging from Warhol to Beatrix Potter.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums covers five main attractions throughout the city, including Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, The Tollbooth Museum, Cowdray Hall and Provost Skene’s House. Across these superb venues you can immerse yourself in fine art, archaeology, maritime history, science, technology and industry.

Dundee

The McManus houses Dundee’s impressive collection of art. Voted Dundee’s best loved building in 2000, The McManus has been at the heart of art and culture in the city since its opening in 1867. The display includes an impressive collection of fine art, history, natural sciences and archaeology exhibits.

SCOTTISH THEATRE

From large scale professional touring companies to local amateur dramatics, plays and musicals, there is a fantastic range of theatrical productions on offer across Scotland. Come and experience all the drama and be inspired by Scotland’s creativity.

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, boasts a wide range of theatres. Home to the largest all-seated auditorium in the UK, thePlayhouse hosts many big touring shows and one-night only events.

The King’s Theatre and Festival Theatre also offer a diverse programme, from plays and popular musical theatre to cutting-edge contemporary dance. After enjoying 60 years of West End success, why not catch Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap when it tours to across Scotland in 2012?

The Traverse, Scotland’s ‘new-writing theatre’, has a varied programme of events which embraces innovation and nurtures new talent. Don’t miss one of the many writers’ workshops and the award-winning 2,401 Objects.

Glasgow boasts both the Pavilion Theatre and the Theatre Royal alongside one of the city’s most historic theatres, the King’s.Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera both regularly perform at the Theatre Royal, and the productions of A Streetcar Named Desire and Tosca, are just two of the forthcoming unmissable events.

Check out Surge 2012, Glasgow’s festival of physical performance, or why not sit amid the colourful Botanic Gardens during the annual summer Bard in the Botanics festival and watch Shakespeare in the open air?

Outwith the major cities, there is plenty to keep you entertained, with comedy and tragedy to musical theatre. The Eastgate Arts Centre in Peebles opened its doors in 2004 and the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, set amid the stunning Perthshire landscapes, has been keeping audiences entertained for more than six decades. This summer, look out for the Scottish premiere of Patrick Barlow’s The 39 Steps, a comedy take on John Buchan’s classic novel.

Eden Court, in Scotland’s Highland capital, Inverness, boasts a thriving arts and culture scene and is the place to watch all the drama play out. A strikingly modern building, the theatre opened in 1976 and was designed for a range of performances from opera to popular music and drama.

Source: http://www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-culture/theatre

TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH MUSIC

The grandeur of the bagpipes, the toe-tapping music of the fiddle and accordion, the proud custom of Gaelic song and the relaxing sounds of the clarsach. Now is the perfect time to explore the richness of Scotland’s diverse traditional music.

Scotland’s national instrument, the bagpipes, appears in many different forms, from pipe bands and traditional folk and ceilidh bands to solo performances, buskers and as an accompaniment to Highland dancing. The distinctive sound is synonymous with Scotland, and popular Red Hot Chilli Pipers offer this with a twist, blending bagpipe and rock music.

Immerse yourself in traditional reels, jigs and waltzes and enjoy the party spirit of a ceilidh. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the steps to the multitude of dances, as many events and ceilidh bands include a ‘caller’ to take you through the steps before you begin. If you prefer to enjoy the music without the dancing, many pubs hold live folk nights, including Whistlebinkies and theRoyal Oak in Edinburgh or head to Shetland to join in the many informal fiddle sessions. The islands’ Fiddle Frenzy Festivalincludes special workshops for fiddlers of all abilities.

Absorb the history and customs of Gaelic music and song by attending one of Scotland’s traditional music festivals, including the Blas Festival and Royal National MOD which welcome established artists and emerging talent from across the country. Or head to South Uist for Ceòlas, and learn more about the rich history of Gaelic music and dance in the popular summer school.

Celtic Connections, held every January in Glasgow, celebrates the diversity and beauty of Scottish traditional music and is a wonderful showcase of local and international musical stars. Contemporary folk bands that perform regularly across Scotland include Capercaillie, the Peatbog Faeries, Shooglenifty and Salsa Celtica.

Source: http://www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-culture/music/traditional

DANCE IN SCOTLAND

From traditional Highland dance and the elegance and grace of ballet to the growth of hip hop, Scotland’s dance scene is buzzing with diversity.

The complex footwork of Highland dance with its jigs and reels, and the Scottish country dances enjoyed at ceilidhs and social gatherings across the country, form an important part of Scotland’s magnificent cultural heritage.

Head to the Cowal Gathering in Dunoon, on the west coast, to experience the world’s largest Highland games, which include the World Highland Dance Championships, a spectacular display that attracts more than 650 dancers from all over the world each year.

Catch a performance by Scotland’s national dance company, Scottish Ballet, in one of the country’s major cities. Based at the purpose-built international arts centre, Tramway in Glasgow, the company presents a wide range of classical and contemporary work throughout the year.

Scotland’s national contemporary dance company, Scottish Dance Theatre, is based at Dundee Rep Theatre and works closely with internationally celebrated choreographers and emerging talents. Known for its challenging repertoire, the company tours regularly with performances in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and across a range of more intimate venues throughout Scotland.

The Edinburgh Festival Theatre hosts exciting dance performances throughout the year and hosted the international festival of hip hop theatre, Breakin Convention, in 2012.

The Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival take place every August and attract a fantastic variety of international artists from all styles of dance. Get ready to discover everything from flamenco and Latin American to breakdance, ballet, jazz and mambo.

Feast your eyes on the marvellous array of wonderful dance styles on throughout the year across Scotland.

Source: http://www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-culture/dance

SCOTTISH ARTISTS

Scotland has a long and proud history of world-class artists from the portraiture of Henry Raeburn to the bold designs of the Glasgow Boys and the recent commercial success of Jack Vettriano.

 

Regarded as one of the most significant artists of the 19th century, Edinburgh-born portrait painter Henry Raeburn created the now iconic work, The Skating Minister, which hangs in the Scottish National Gallery. The painting is said to have inspired the window design of the Scottish Parliament building, situated at the bottom of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile.

The 19th century also produced a group of artists known as the Glasgow Boys, who had either trained in or had an association with the city. They included Sir James Guthrie, George Henry, E A Hornel, Sir John Lavery, E A Walton and Joseph Crawhall, and their styles featured realism and naturalism, with the use of bold colours. Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Paisley Museum and the Hunterian Gallery to view some paintings from this inspiring group of artists.

Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, a group of female artists and designers, collectively called the Glasgow Girls, also featured prominently towards the late 19th, early 20th century. Members of this group included sisters Margaret and Frances MacDonald and their husbands, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Herbert MacNair, who were hugely influential in the ‘Glasgow Style’, much of which was based around Art Noveau.

Mackintosh is one of Scotland’s best loved artists and designers and his impact can be seen throughout his home city of Glasgow. From the Glasgow School of Art building, to The Lighthouse, Scotland Street Museum and Queen’s Cross Church, his beautiful linear designs and flower motifs are instantly recognisable.

The Scottish Colourists group of artists, from the 1920s and 30s, were inspired by the landscape and people of Scotland, and this was reflected in their bold, colour paintings. The artists included S J Peploe, J D Fergusson, Leslie Hunter and F C B Cadell and their work can be seen in Aberdeen Art Gallery and the Fergusson Gallery in Perth.

Scotland’s most commercially successful artist of recent times is Fife-born Jack Vettriano, whose distinctive style combines brooding seductive overtones. His best know work. The Singing Butler, sold at auction for £744,000 and his work can be seen on a range of media. Vettriano’s self portrait, The Weight, is on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Source: http://www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-culture/scottish-artists

SCOTTISH ARTS & CRAFTS

Scotland’s renowned arts and crafts industry produces a fantastic range of authentic products using traditional methods. From jewellery to glassblowing, textiles to pottery, now is the perfect time to explore these unique creations and visit the country’s many workshops and studios for a chance to see how they are made.

Discover the rich history of Scotland’s textile industry at the interactive Borders Textile Towerhouse, where you can learn all about why these internationally renowned materials have been so popular with leading fashion houses including Pringle, Chanel, Dior and Vivienne Westwood.

One way to discover the diversity of local crafts is by following Scotland’s many craft trails which run from as far afield asKirkcudbright, Orkney and Shetland. There is also the chance to try out a new craft for yourself at a great range of festivals and events. Head to the Spring Fling in Dumfries & Galloway and enjoy the open studio event, where you can see the artists at work and try and master the craft for yourself.

Scotland’s islands also boast their own traditional creations. Visit the Outer Hebrides and find out more about Harris Tweed, or head to Shetland and purchase an iconic Burra Bear, or a sweater featuring the distinctive Fair Isle pattern.

Johnston’s of Elgin on the Moray coast has been producing luxurious cashmere woollens since 1797. Their flagship mill is the only one in Britain where cashmere is transformed from raw fibre to the beautiful finished product.

Recently named a Creative Place, West Kilbride is Scotland’s Craft Town and features unique creations from wood carvings and textiles to basket weaving.

Learn more about the history and importance of tartan to Scottish textiles at the Tartan Weaving Mill on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. Find your clan tartan, the different patterns or setts and even create your very own design.

Wherever you are in the country, make sure you discover the great variety of stunning craft creations.

Source: http://www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-culture/crafts

RELIGION IN SCOTLAND

Figures from the 2001 Census on Religion in Scotland:

Religion	Percentage of Population
Church of Scotland	42%
No Religion	28%
Roman Catholic	16%
Other Christian	7%
No Answer	5%
Islam	0.8%
Buddhism	0.1%
Sikhism	0.1%
Judaism	0.1%
Hinduism	0.1%
Other Religions	0.5%

The Church of Scotland (often referred to as The Kirk) is the national church of Scotland. Although it is the established church, it is not subject to state control. It differs from the Church of England in that it has a Presbyterian form of church governance. The Scots are proud of the fact that the Scottish Reformation took place at a grassroots level, unlike in England, where the Reformation was a politically motivated, top-down reform.

The Scottish Reformation, initiated in 1560 and led by John Knox, was Calvinist, and throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Church of Scotland maintained a strict theology and kept a tight control over the morality of the population.

The Church had an overwhelming influence on the cultural development of Scotland in early modern times. Because Calvinism does not adhere to the Liturgical Year, for example, Christmas was not widely celebrated in Scotland until the mid-20th century.

The intellectual nature of Calvinism contributed greatly to the predominance of Scottish thinkers in the Enlightenment, but the Church’s distrust of the sensual is seen as the reason why Scotland contributed little to classical music and art before the 19th century.

Since the mid-19th century, however, the Church of Scotland has developed into a generally tolerant and heterogenous church with an interest in ecumenism.

A number of other Christian denominations exist in Scotland, foremost amongst them Roman Catholicism. Catholicism survived the Reformation especially on islands like Uist and Barr and was strengthened in the 19th century by immigration from Ireland. It has now become the largest Christian denomination outside of the Church of Scotland, and is strongest in the West of Scotland (although roadside shrines can be seen in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides, similar to those in Ireland).

Much of Scotland (particularly the West Central Belt around Glasgow) has experienced problems caused by the religious divide between Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. Some Scots maintain that sectarianism is still deeply rooted in Scottish society. This problem has historically manifested itself in a number of ways, particularly in discrimination in employment and in football fanaticism. The problems associated with sectarianism in Scotland have diminished markedly in recent years, although some issues remain. The Scottish police have recently moved to restrict the number of Orange Order parades.

As well as the Church of Scotland there are various other Protestant churches, including the Scottish Episcopal Church, which forms a full part of the Anglican Communion, and the Free Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian off-shoot from the Church of Scotland.

Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Scotland, although its numbers remain small. There are also significant Jewish and Sikh communities, especially in Glasgow. Scotland has a high proportion of persons who regard themselves as having “no religion.” Indeed, this was the second most common response in the 2001 census.

Source: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/scotland/scotland-religion

Inequality ‘Widening’

Scotland’s wealthiest households are now 273-times better off than the most deprived, according to a report

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The report said too many Scots were affected by high morality rates, economic poverty and ill-health.

Oxfam Scotland said the gap between rich and poor was widening – with equality made worse by the tax and benefits system.

The charity called for the current economic model to be “fundamentally changed”.

The Scottish government said it would consider the report, including its calls for a Poverty Commissioner.

Oxfam Scotland’s report, Our Economy, analyses trends and urges a focus on “creating livelihoods for the many, not profits for the few”.

It said research had shown that the top 10% of households in terms of wealth were 273 better off than the bottom 10% – with the gap likely to widen.

‘Deepening inequalities’

The authors said: “Scotland is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world. The wealthiest households are 273 times richer than the poorest households. This looks likely to widen in future years.

“In 2012 Scotland’s 100 richest men and women increased their fortunes to £21bn, up from a combined wealth of £18bn in 2011. These deepening inequalities are accentuated by the declining progressivity of the UK tax and benefits system – which should address rather than exacerbate inequality.”

It proposes the creation of a Poverty Commissioner for Scotland; a duty for public authorities to make sure all their policies reduce poverty and inequality; the creation of a Scottish Ethical Business Initiative; setting out acceptable behaviour for businesses operating in Scotland and a more progressive tax system.

Continue reading the main story

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The reality for too many Scots is a cocktail of high mortality, economic inactivity, mental and physical ill-health, poor educational attainment and exclusion from the decisions that affect them”

Judith RobertsonOxfam Scotland

The notion that work pays is also challenged, with the authors pointing out that the number of workers who live in poverty has gone from 255,000 to 280,000 since 2008.

The report said that working tax credits were “effectively subsidies from the public purse to employers paying poverty wages”, and that all employers should pay a living wage.

Businesses paying less than the living wage cost society between £5.9bn and £6.3bn each year, the report stated.

It added: “In recent decades, the Scottish economy has been transformed from one based on manufacturing to a service-led, supposedly ‘knowledge economy’.

“Retail and call centres have expanded to (partly) fill the void left by the demise of manufacturing. Service jobs have replaced skilled trades. Yet these new jobs do not necessarily offer a route out of poverty: many roles simply do not pay enough to live on, far less build for the future.

“Experiencing poverty in this rich country is also intensely stressful.

“Stigmatisation through media and political rhetoric adds to individuals’ sense of anguish and isolation. They, not society, nor the economy, are blamed for their poverty. Meanwhile, pressures to consume abound in a culture that elevates status and image above relationships, community contribution or care for the environment.”

‘New prosperity’

Judith Robertson, head of Oxfam Scotland, said she believed the existing economic model was not working.

She added: “Despite decades of economic growth and a myriad of anti-poverty policies, the reality for too many Scots is a cocktail of high mortality, economic inactivity, mental and physical ill-health, poor educational attainment and exclusion from the decisions that affect them.

“This is a structural problem caused by the economy. If we are serious about tackling these issues, then our politicians and policymakers need to make a fundamental change. Without that change, poverty and inequality will continue to shame us and drag all of us down for generations to come.

“We need to create a new prosperity that will benefit everyone in society. At the heart of this new prosperity would be community-led economies which focus on the quality and distribution of growth, creating livelihoods for the many, not profits for the few.

“Our economy shows this is practical and achievable. We just need the will to work together to make it happen.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland is a wealthy country, but the reality is that the Westminster system has utterly failed to address the deep social inequalities which exist in Scottish society – indeed under successive Westminster governments those inequalities have been allowed to widen.

“Tackling and reversing that picture of inequality requires political will – but more fundamentally for Scotland it needs the key economic and social policy levers to be in the hands of the Scottish Parliament. ”

Last week, figures from Scotland’s chief statistician showed the number of people living in relative poverty had fallen slightly, from 780,000 in 2010/11 to 710,000 in 2011/12.

But the statistics showed there had also been a fall in the average household earnings in Scotland.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, welcomed the report, which she said “merely confirms what we have long known to be the case, which is that the UK is one of the most unequal countries in the developed world.”

Ms Sturgeon added: “We will consider Oxfam’s recommendations, including their proposal for a Poverty Commissioner, as we take forward our programme of work outlining the shape of an independent Scotland. Independence will give us the opportunity to create a fairer, more equal Scotland.”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22976909