Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold Indyref2 before the end of 2023
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Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that her government will seek to hold a second independence referendum before the end of 2023.
The First Minister said today that efforts previously halted due to Covid will now restart to gain independence.
Ms Sturgeon has already stated her belief that the deal with the Greens strengthens the bid for IndyRef2 as pro-independence parties are in the majority.
The announcement was made as she unveiled the Scottish Government’s programme for the coming year.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that "a better Scotland – as part of a better world – is waiting to be built".
Within the programme is a commitment to invest at least £1.8 billion over the course of the current parliament to make Scotland’s homes and buildings more efficient and easier to heat.
The Scottish government also wants to increase investment in frontline health services by 20% over the same time frame.
That means by 2026/27 the budget will be £2.5 billion more than at present.
Richard Lochhead hailed the programme as "a strong plan to begin the recovery from the pandemic for Moray".
Moray's MSP added: "This is an ambitious policy programme from the Scottish Government which has clear commitments to deliver for people across Moray.
"It addresses the challenges that the last 18 months has left us with and it has the ambition needed to rebuild a better country as we recover.
"The recovery and remobilisation of our health services is undoubtedly a top priority for people across Moray.
"Today we have seen that we have an SNP Government who keep their promises, has the ambition needed to help build a better Scotland but, most importantly, takes the action needed to make that ambition a reality.
"This is a prospectus that meets the challenges and opportunities ahead and offers the people of Scotland the choice the deserve over their future."
