Pages tagged with "Featured"

The UK state pension is not big enough to support the bare minimum standard of living for a single person, according to a new report. And it warns that a quarter of employees are not on track to be able to afford it.

The Retirement Living Standards report published by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association estimates that a single pensioner needs £10,900 annual income after tax to support what it defines as the minimum standard of living. That works out at around £209.60 a week. Last month Believe in Scotland had the economic consultancy firm Scotianomics work out the minimum living standard for a Scottish pensioner and we calculate that they would require a pension of at least £200.00 a week.  This new report from PLSA therefore backs up our findings.

The UK’s full basic state pension – the worst in the developed world according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – is just £137.60 a week, or £7,155 a year.

The new UK state pension for men born after April 1951 and women born after April 1953 is £179.60, although you might receive less depending on your National Insurance record. The new full pension works out at £9,339 a year, still significantly less than the suggested minimum required but remember most pensionors don't get that much.

Around a quarter of single pensioners cannot afford the bare minimum standard of living

The Retirement Living Standards estimates do not include housing costs as they assume pensioners will have paid off their mortgage.

The report states: ‘About three quarters of single employees are likely to achieve the minimum standard.’ That means around a quarter of new single pensioners will not be able to afford the bare minimum standard of living.

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, the director of Believe in Scotland, stated; "This report demonstrates what we have claimed before, that the UK basic state pension does not reach the level at which pensioners who were not able to afford private pensions can live with dignity in retirement. The UK is a wealthy nation and wealthy nations should not have pensioners living in poverty. However successive UK governments have deliberately kept the state pension low to force those than can afford it to purchase private pensions. This boosts the profits of the city of London at the expense of pensioners. This must stop and we will not allow it to be the case in an independent Scotland".

A minimum lifestyle is based on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Minimum Income Standard and covers all a pensioner’s needs and a little extra for ‘social and cultural participation’. It includes a week’s holiday in the UK, eating out about once a month and some affordable leisure activities about twice a week. It does not include a budget to run a car.

The annual budget for the ‘minimum’ standard has risen since 2019 by £700 to £10,900 for a single person and by £1,000 to £16,700 for a couple in 2021. The report suggests only those single employees with workplace pension schemes have even a chance of affording the minimum standard of living.

Only half the number of single employees are on track to expect a lifestyle between minimum and moderate

The ‘moderate’ retirement living standard includes a two-week holiday in Europe and eating out a few times a month. The annual budget for the moderate standard has risen since 2019 by £600 to £20,800 for a single person and by £1,500 to £30,600 for a couple. The eating out budget, which rose from £75 per person per month to £100 per person per month, drove much of the increase for the moderate standard.

Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association analysis suggest only half the number of single employees are on track to expect a lifestyle between minimum and moderate.

The ‘comfortable’ retirement living standard includes luxuries such as regular beauty treatments, theatre trips and three weeks holiday in Europe a year. The annual budget needed for a comfortable retirement living standard has increased since 2019 by £600 to £33,600 for one person and £2,200 to £49,700 for a couple.

Only about one in six single employees are projected to have an income between moderate and comfortable.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development figures in 2018 showed the UK paid out just 29% of average earnings on pensions, the lowest of any developed country. Top of the table were the Netherlands, which pays 100.6% of average earnings, Portugal at 94% and Italy at 93.2%.

Believe in Scotland recently launched a billboard campaign urging a state pension of £200 a week in an independent Scotland.

That campaign was last week attacked by the former Better Together head of strategist in the first independence referendum campaign Blair McDougall. He tweeted: “What I don’t understand is why only promise £200 a week? Why not £300? £1000? If you’re going to bullsh*t at least put your back into it.”

The Believe in Scotland campaign was for a pension slightly lower than the bare minimum now estimated as necessary for a single person by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

Blair McDougall has been left with a red face for suggesting the UK cannot afford to pay a pension capable of supporting the most basis standard of living for a single person. In fact he thinks that even the suggestion that the UK CAN afford it is laughable.

If that really is the case then the future of the UK is more perilous than we thought and independence offers Scotland’s pensioners the only hope of a decent life.

Get Brexit Done … three words which won the Conservative Party the 2019 UK general election south of the Border and the driving force which pushed Boris Johnson to desperately pull together a dangerous and disastrous trade 'deal' as the January 1, 2021 deadline approached.

Yet less than a year later Johnson’s government has moved from cheerleaders for the 'deal' - which decimated UK exports, particularly Scottish exports, and sparked chaos in supply chains leading to food and petrol shortages all over the country -  to standing on the verge of a trade war with Europe.

We’ll soon find out just how serious that trade war threat is. Europe is due to respond to UK government demands that it agree to significant changes to the Northern Ireland protocol, ironically negotiated by UK ministers to avoid a hard land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

But this rather begs the question: does Boris Johnson really want a deal at all?

Reports suggest it is unlikely the EU will move far enough on protocol changes to satisfy Johnson and his cronies, although European politicians are experts on compromise and may yet make more concessions.

But that rather begs the question: does Boris Johnson really want a deal at all? Certainly Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney recently tweeted his doubts on that, accusing the UK of setting out a new “red line” just days before the EU was set to offer “serious” concessions. He said: “Are we surprised? Real Q: does UKG actually want an agreed way forward or a further breakdown in relations?”

It’s certainly true that the Prime Minister has previously revealed a preference for chaos, which is certainly what his trade ‘deal’ has brought to the UK.

If the Northern Ireland protocol disagreement can’t be resolved a trade war between the EU and the UK looks likely and the consensus is that this would hurt Britain more than Europe. There has even been one suggestion that the EU response could include tariffs on Scottish salmon.

Whether or not that happens it is certainly true that Scotland is suffering from the Brexit catastrophe more than the rest of the UK. The latest figures released by HM Revenue and Customs reveal that in the quarter ended in June 2021 Scottish exports decreased by 14% compared to the same period the previous year. That compared with export declines in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of 2.2%, 13% and 6.1% respectively in the same period.

Independence offers the only realistic chance of escape from a government seemingly hell bent on damaging our economy

All this surely adds power to the case for Scottish independence. It would, after all, offer the only realistic chance of escape from a government seemingly hell bent on damaging our economy and stripping powers from our parliament.

But we need to beware an argument increasingly put forward by Unionist supporters: that Brexit has caused so much trouble that we cannot risk adding independence to an already chaotic situation.

The truth, of course is that the chaos is entirely the creation of a criminally reckless UK government. Independence is entirely normal in most countries in the world, where it works perfectly well.

It is even more essential in Scotland as we emerge from the pandemic and can seize the opportunity to rebuild our economy based on the principles of wellbeing and equality rather than the greed and naked self-interest guiding the actions of the Westminster government.

An economy which works for the benefit of the people of Scotland and reflects their values and priorities.

Over the months ahead Believe in Scotland will show exactly how we can create that economy and offer hope for the future rather than the despair which is the inevitable result of being part of the Union.

Disillusionment with the UK and the disastrous effects of Brexit are driving a series of high-profile expressions of support for Scotland’s independence. Here are just five voices who believe pro-Union parties are failing to make their case.

1:  Jon Worth, a journalist and visiting professor at the College of Europe

Mr Worth,  an expert on EU affairs, said yesterday that Scots should “save themselves” from the Union, describing the UK as “irrevocably politically f*****”.

His comment was sparked by the Labour Party’s failure at its recent conference to support a proportionally representative voting system for general elections. He used social media to express his frustration with Labour, which he described as a “pile of such moribund hopelessness I now don’t know what the hell to do to save it”.

Really, Scotland, go. Save yourselves because you can

Mr Worth added: “Really, Scotland, go. Save yourselves because you can. And eventually Wales too. And Northern Ireland too, providing it doesn't end in bloodshed. The UK is so irrevocably politically f**ked & Labour is no answer to Tory malevolence, and Greens and LibDems can't be under [First Past the Post].”

2: Former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish

During a podcast by the Herald newspaper Mr McLeish told the host, former BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor: “Yes, I would support independence”. He said he was now “sceptical” about the Union being able to reform itself, adding: “I’m not an optimist about the possibilities of the Union changing.’  He said:  ‘If it’s only economic fears that are binding us within the Union, that’s a pretty poor state of affairs. I believe that Scotland could be independent tomorrow.’

3: Professor Ciaran Martin, the former constitution director at the Westminster Cabinet Office

Professor Martin was all over the media last month when he told the Edinburgh International Book Festival that he expected the Scottish governmentwould lose any court case over a right to hold a referendum.

But he clarified his position recently to The National newspaper, saying he had been “quite surprised” to see the focus of those headlines had not reflected the main thrust of his argument.

He stressed that even if Boris Johnson won the court case it would still help the Yes case. “The theatre and substance of a court wrangle may work in their favour,” he explained.

“The UK government will have to make very awkward arguments, such as that Scotland’s not really a nation with a right to self-determination. Something I heard time and again from convinced Unionists in Scotland is that they would vote passionately and campaign passionately to stay in the Union, but if anyone ever told them in all seriousness that Scotland had no right to leave, then that would be a different matter.”

4: Rock band Texas

Sharleen Spiteri, singer with one of Scotland's biggest bands, was among the high-profile names backing the Union in 2014. She said at the time. "I think it’s very important to have a Scottish government who make decisions for Scotland but I can’t understand how Scotland would survive independently. ‘

Now she has changed her mind.  The Express newspaper recently wrote an article based on Spiteri's 2013 comment headlined: "Sharleen Spiteri: Independent Scotland 'can’t survive' as 'we don’t have the resources'"

After Brexit, Sharleen and the rest of Texas now support Scottish Independence

In response, the band's official Twitter account issued a short post saying: "This is not true. After Brexit, Sharleen and the rest of the band now support Scottish Independence."

That's triggered a massive response, racking up more than 6000 likes and in excess of 150 comments.

5: Professor AC Grayling, author and philosopher

Professor Grayling  was one of the 200 signatories of the so-called love bomb letter begging Scots to vote No in 2014. He has dramatically changed his mind.

He said recently: “I have now come to the view that it is unconscionable that Scotland, which voted to be in the EU, should be dragged out by England which pays so little attention, has so little interest and care really for Scotland, other than as a useful appendage.”

Independence Live will broadcast an interview with Professor Grayling by John Drummond at 7pm on Wednesday, October 6.

Last Saturday more than 1,000 Yes activists reached out to their local communities to put the case for independence in a way that connected with those who have not yet made up their minds on the most important issue facing Scotland.

Hundreds of thousands of voters were engaged through street stalls, mass leaflet drops, social media and our Open Minds newspaper distributed through doors all over Scotland.

Believe in Scotland’s Day of Action for Independence marked a return to active campaigning after long months of lockdown and was a huge success. The Yes movement joined in by staging hundreds of events throughout the country and everyone who took part should feel proud of what was achieved by the first of a planned series of events in an Autumn of Indy Action.

To watch the Yes movement spring into action after such a difficult time in lockdown, with an unprecedented coordinated action involving 112 groups active for the first time in over a year was uplifting. The feedback from those involved has been universally positive; it seems to have been just the shot in the arm the Yes movement required.

Those who took part in our Day of Action deserve admiration and thanks. They certainly don’t deserve snide carping from the sidelines

Those who took part deserve admiration and thanks. They certainly don’t deserve the snide carping from the sidelines we’ve seen on a few platforms since then, particularly in a column by Neil Mackay published by the Herald. Everyone, of course, is entitled to their opinion but there are a number of factual mistakes in Mr Mackay’s column. Let’s take just a few.

Claim 1: ‘The Day of Action was a damp squib’

This is simply not true.  More than 1,000 people took part from 112 Yes groups across Scotland. They distributed the bulk of the 600,000 individual items of campaigning materials available to them, including 200,000 Scotland.. a Wealthy Nation leaflets, 200,000 UK Pays the Worst Pension in Developed World leaflets, 75,000 Independence and Scotland’s Wellbeing leaflets, 75,000 Scotland's Renewables Potential leaflets, 40,000 Open Minds newspapers, 1,500 car stickers, 3,000 badges, 2,000 Mini Scotland The Brief books, 500 Maxi STB books, 500 mugs, 600 packs of 6 postcards, plus some leaflets and books from other groups.  By any standards the day was a huge success and we have already received orders for tens of thousands of leaflets from groups who have run out.

Claim 2: ‘Some well-intentioned souls set up little stalls in town centres and mostly seemed to talk to other well-intentioned souls with similar political beliefs’

Where is the evidence is for such condescending statements?  Yes groups were reaching out to undecided voters in their own communities. They were opening up conversations on independence. ‘More than 120 little stalls were set up in town centres’ ... this was indeed one of the  actions we encouraged. It was part of a plan to engage voters outside the Yes bubble and provide them with the facts they need to make an informed decision at the next referendum and we did that.

Claim 3: ‘ A few rather dreary images appeared on social media – folk standing in small Saltire-bedecked groups trying to smile bravely in forlorn streets’

This statement is the most detached from reality in the whole article. The facts: #BelieveinScotland hash tag was top trending in Scotland most of the afternoon and evening, alongside the others we also used, #StillYes & #Yesbecause. More than 5,000 tweets used our hashtag on Twitter last weekend. We gathered over 150 images from the hashtag which are in our gallery. This can be accessed here: https://www.believeinscotland.org/nda-gallery/

We reached more then 500,000 people on Facebook during the day - this is just on our own channels. An educated guesstimate would be a reach of more than a million when you add The National's site and those of Yes groups.

We reached 300,000 on Twitter over the day, but when you consider other campaign pages had been retweeting the same posts from activists throughout the day we would suggest that most people in Scotland on Twitter would have seen the trending posts, or hashtag at some point over the day. So Mr Mackay's ridiculous comment doesn't exactly bode well for the state of investigative journalism at the Herald.

Claim 4: ‘Activism within the independence movement today mostly means telling other people you support independence, and managing to deter soft No voters with insults and over the top patriotism’

This was the direct opposite of what was happening during the Day of Action. No one was hurling insults. Instead we were engaging undecided voters in open and informed conversation. We don’t engage with ‘over the top patriotism’.  Indeed the Scottish independence movement is inclusive and the antidote to the over the top neoconservative Brexit Britain patriotism that is destroying the UK. It would, however,  be impossible to encourage people to Believe in Scotland without explaining the many great aspects which make the country worth believing in. A rejection of old-fashioned nationalism is at the top of that list.

Claim 5: 'It’s unfair, though, to pick on ordinary folk doing their best for what they believe in – these campaigners are simply trying, in their clumsy fashion, to keep their spirits up, and further their cause'

Yet picking on ordinary folk is exactly what the column does. Even the words ‘in their clumsy fashion’ are added to undermine the day’s excellent efforts. Mr Mackay and others that make such stock out of supporting the independence cause sell their reputations cheaply if they misrepresent the sterling work of the grassroots independence movement as anything less than worthy and much needed at this juncture in the path to independence.

The column hasn’t a good word to say about anyone or any way of campaigning for independence. It’s dispiriting and dismal and designed to stop any activists doing anything, ever

Claim 6:  ‘Independence is now caught between its flag-waving grassroots, which will win no more support no matter how hard it tries, and a lame and fatigued Sturgeon government which cannot risk stirring the passions needed to take independence over the line’

Mr Mackay’s attack on the SNP takes various forms but can be boiled down to this quote. His column dismisses the Scottish government AND the grass roots. He dismisses the Greens – they have only ‘minority support’ - and indeed other pro-indy politicians. The Scottish government is too cautious, the grass-roots too ‘patriotic’  … the column hasn’t a good word to say about anyone or any way of campaigning for independence. It’s dispiriting and dismal and designed to stop any activists doing anything, ever.  This is doing the work of the Unionist cause - when the author should be pointing out the damage Brexit and the UK government’s incompetence is doing to Scotland.

Believe in Scotland will continue to work positively and tirelessly to bring Scotland’s its independence. It will motivate the Yes movement to do likewise and organise events aimed at inspiring activists and persuading undecided voters. It will work with the Yes family to deliver the messages that will take the vote over the line. It will always reject the philosophy that it is better to criticise than to actively get involved.

Believe in Scotland’s founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp said: ‘Neil MacKay’s column was an unwarranted, ill-informed and unprofessional  attack on a superb Day of Action. It contained many assertions for which there is no evidence and that could easily be disproved if the journalist had done any research. As a result it came to conclusions that were simply wrong. We remain determined to put forward the right arguments to convince those who do not yet support independence and we’re delighted to have the support of the Yes movement in doing so.’

‘It’s great to see something happening again, something which shows support for independence,’ said some visitors to the Pensioners for independence street stall at Ayr’s Wallace Tower on Saturday.

The stall was just one of more than 110 activities taking place all over the country during Believe in Scotland’s Day of Action for independence, which signalled a return to active campaigning by the Yes movement after social distancing restrictions called a halt 18 months ago.

All over Scotland during the Day of Action Yes activists set up stalls, sold home baking, flew saltires up mountains, distributed 150,000 leaflets, gave away copies of our Open Minds on Independence supplement

The Ayr activists had a powerful message for pensioners, distributing Believe in Scotland leaflets explaining that the UK pension is the worst in the developed world and calling for the Scottish government to increase it to £200 a week in an independent Scotland.

All over Scotland during the Day of action Yes activists set up stalls, sold home baking, flew saltires up mountains, distributed 150,000 leaflets, gave away copies of an Open Minds on Independence supplement produced by Believe in Scotland in conjunction with the National newspaper…

Yes for EU flew Saltires and European flags and placed a giant yes sign at the Scottish parliament. Other groups flew Saltires from bridges. Yes Bikers took the message on an amazing 400-mile round trip throughout Scotland. Women for Independence members took part too.

It was a fantastic opportunity for all parts of the Yes movement to unite in campaigning now that a second independence referendum has been confirmed by the Scottish government before the end of 2023.

The Day of Action was an internet sensation too. Hundreds of pictures were posted on social media, all using the hashtag #BelieveInScotland, which was trending in twitter throughout the day

At least 112 yes groups took part in the big day, with more than more than 1,000 activists participating.

The Day of Action was an internet sensation too. Hundreds of pictures were posted on social media, all using the hashtag #BelieveInScotland, which was trending in twitter throughout the day. Supporters also took part by posting on social media why they believed in Scotland.

Altogether it was an amazing response to the Believe in Scotland Day of Action for Independence which marked the start of an Autumn of Action for Indy.

A series of initiatives will focus on opening minds to the idea that independence is normal. The autumn activities will aim to convert those not yet convinced that independence is the best option for Scotland’s future.

Believe in Scotland founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp said that the Yes movement needed a shot in the arm after lockdown and it was time to get together after months of Zoom meetings and call an end to recent in-fighting.

He said:  “We needed to focus on being independent ambassadors – to get out of the Yes bubble and engage the undecided, and we took the first step back into the light.

‘The Day of Action was just the first part of a much larger campaign to reinvigorate the movement and swell the ranks of Yes supporters. The second independence referendum will be upon us before we know it and it’s vital that we are prepared to mount a positive, compelling case over the months ahead.

‘Believe in Scotland has a huge role to play in preparing and promoting that case. Look out for information on more exciting events in the weeks to come.

‘In the meantime we’d like to thank everyone who took part in the Day of Action and helped to make it even more successful than we expected. It’s great to know we have the movement behind us.'

Months of preparation and planning come to fruition tomorrow when Believe in Scotland’s Day of Action for Independence will see the biggest co-ordinated Yes campaign for years take place all over the country.

A total of 110 Yes groups stand ready to stage a huge range of events to kickstart an Autumn of Indy Action initiative as the campaign gets into gear to prepare for the second independence referendum. Now the big day is almost here.

Events being held tomorrow include coffee mornings, Yes stalls, leaflet distribution, musical events and possibly even mountain climbing – all aimed at opening minds to the idea that independence is perfectly normal and enjoyed by most countries in the world.

Here are just some of the events taking place:

• Yes for EU will create a colourful display of Saltires, banners, all 27 EU flags and a large Yes outside the Scottish parliament to convey the message: Scotland should be an independent country within the EU.
• An indy tour of Angus run by Yes Forfar … described as ‘79 miles of flag-waving and noise’.  The Yes group will also be setting up a street stand.
• Edinburgh Women for Independence expect an international researcher from Florence to drop by to compare Scottish and Catalan independence campaigns, focussing on the interaction between pro-independence parties and the grass roots.
• Yes Pentlands members are decorating their cars with Yes stickers, posters and flags to drive through different areas.
• Find out what your local Yes group is doing on our Interactive map here.

Campaign literature ready for the Day of Action includes a special supplement – Open Minds on Independence - produced by Believe in Scotland and The National newspaper. The supplement will be included in The National tomorrow and tens of thousands will also be distributed separately up and down the country.

It contains the facts you need at your fingertips to convince doubters that independence offers Scotland its best future, as well as exploding all the myths naysayers put forward to hoodwink voters.

Believe in Scotland is organising tomorrow’s Day of Action for Independence with the support of the National Yes Network, which brings together Yes organisations from all over Scotland, and the Scottish Independence Foundation, which provides vital financial support for a wide range of pro-independence projects.

It has been a long time since we have been able to properly campaign for independence and tomorrow will be a powerful signal

Believe in Scotland’s founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp appeared on The National’s online roadshow last night. You can watch the roadshow here.

Mr MacIntyre-Kemp said today: 'We can't wait to see all the amazing events Yes Groups will stage tomorrow. It has been a long time since we have been able to properly campaign for independence and tomorrow will be a powerful signal that Scotland has had enough of the Westminster incompetence and Brexit buffoonery which are stopping our country reach its amazing potential. I'd urge every Yes supporter to do what they can to boost the impact of the Day of Action.'

Here’s how you can help make tomorrow’s Day of Action as successful as possible:

• Take part in an event being organised by your local Yes group.
• Remember ... you don’t have to be a member of a Yes group to take part. Anyone can join in as an individual and stage an event. Be careful to comply with Covid safety rules, particularly on social distancing and wearing a mask.
• Let everyone know what you’re doing. Post pictures and information on your event on social media. Use the hashtag #BelieveInScotland so that people can easily find and share your post.
• Make sure you connect with a wide range of voters. The aim of the Big Day tomorrow is to change minds and convince those who have not yet been won over by the case for Yes. All our efforts should be directed at adding converts to the ranks of independence supporters.
• Complete the following phrase in no more than 50 words and post it on social media. ‘I Believe in Scotland because … ‘ Again, use the hashtag #BelieveInScotland to allow us to share your phrase. There will be a prize for the best.
• Display a Saltire in your window tomorrow to show that on the seventh anniversary of the first independence referendum in 2014 we show support for Scotland’s right to have another say on its constitutional future.
• Sign the Believe in Scotland pledge: We believe that independence offers Scotland the opportunity to be a better nation. A nation that more closely matches the values, hopes and aspirations of the people of Scotland.  As a sovereign independent people, we can truly protect Scotland’s well-being. Independence offers us the chance to create a society and an economy that are more resilient, fairer, equal, ambitious, internationally connected, sustainable and successful.
• Pledge your support for the grassroots-led campaign for Scottish independence and the key messages, exclusive content and campaign information from our pledgers community. We’ve teamed up with The National newspaper to make a special offer to pledgers. Every single pledger will receive a FREE PDF copy of the mini version of our book Scotland the Brief by email. Scotland the Brief has now sold more than 40,000 copies and has been described as a game-changer in terms of how people view Scotland’s economy and independence.
• Support Believe in Scotland’s new regional Facebook pages, which are launching tomorrow. These pages aim to support local Yes groups by giving them an additional platform to share Indy news, content and events to a wider audience. You can also use them to find indy events in your area.

Tomorrow is your chance to get involved in this ambitious co-ordinated national campaign for independence and to send a message loud and clear: the Yes movement is back in action.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday listed the Westminster tricks which will be used in the run up to indyref2 to hoodwink Scotland into believing that independence would not work.

In her speech at the final day of the SNP conference she urged activist to resists the Westminster tricks ‘with all we’ve got’. Here are the Unionist arguments she listed … and how to demolish them:

 Brexit has been a disaster and independence would only make matters worse

This argument is the ultimate irony. It is true that Brexit has been a disaster and that its effects are continuing to cause chaos. It has devastated Scotland’s trade with Europe and is now causing food shortages in shops and restaurants all over the country and goods shortages in stores which are only expected to get worse in the lead up to Christmas.

All these problems are the direct result of Westminster incompetence. In the run-up to Brexit the Scottish government continually argued for a better form of Brexit, one which would keep Scotland within the single market and protect our trade with Europe.

Westminster dismissed these suggestions out of hand. It refused to even discuss the matter with the Scottish government and kept it completely out of EU negotiations.

Instead its intransigence made meaningful discussions with the EU impossible and it only cobbled together the worst possible trade deal when the deadline was almost up and Boris Johnson realised that crashing out of Europe without any deal at all would not be acceptable in Britain.

In effect Boris Johnson has severely wounded the British and Scottish economies and then warned us that ditching his disastrous government would somehow make matters worse

Most of the problems inflicted on Britain after Brexit have been the direct result of the incompetence of that deal, despite warnings that the deal would make all these problems impossible to avoid. In effect Boris Johnson has severely wounded the British and Scottish economies and then warned us that ditching his disastrous government would somehow make matters worse.

Far from signalling a repeat of those Brexit disasters, independence offers an escape from them. We could negotiate our own membership of the EU and restore the trade which has been so disastrously reduced because of the anti-Europe philosophy and the extreme British nationalism of Boris Johnson’s government,

Scotland is too poor to afford independence

Scotland is not a poor country. In fact it is one of the richest countries in the world and it is rich in the resources we need to prosper  in the modern world.

Here are some facts: Scotland possesses ...

 26% of the UK’s renewable energy generation; 90% of UK’s renewable hydropower capacity; 10% of Europe’s wave power potential.

Before Brexit, Scotland also exported £17,456 of goods per head, more than twice the UK figure. And we produce double our population share of the UK’s food – about 16.1% – including about 70% of the UK’s fish landings which are now threatened by the mess Westminster has made of Brexit.

No wonder Westminster doesn’t want to lose Scotland. At a time when the world has woken up to the desperate need to focus on renewables to tackle the climate crisis Scotland has the resources which are vital to save the world.

Because our trade with Europe has been cut we are now too dependent on the rest of the UK

There is nothing to stop an independent Scotland continuing to trade with the rest of the UK. That‘s not just a benefit for Scotland, it’s also essential for the rest of the UK. It would be an act of unforgiveable folly for Westminster to block it. However, only independence can allow Scotland to restore the European trade Brexit has lost.

The suggestion that Scotland is uniquely unable to manage its own affairs does not stand up to scrutiny. Many countries the same size as Scotland but without its natural resources survive perfectly well as  independent countries. There is nothing which seriously suggests Scotland would not thrive.

Our population is ageing too fast to allow us to stand on our own feet

In common with many countries in the world, Scotland has an ageing population. One way to counteract the drop in the number of people living here would be to encourage immigrants to move here to build new lives and to contribute to our economy.

Independence would allow our economy to benefit from increased tax income and our society to benefit from the cultural advantages of a more diverse population

We can’t currently do that because of the UK’s restrictive immigration rules, which take no account of the very different needs of Scotland. Independence would allow our economy to benefit from increased tax income and our society to benefit from the cultural advantages of a more diverse population.

If we remain part of the UK those benefits will forever be denied us.

We need to equip ourselves with the facts about our economy and how being part of the UK holds us back from achieving our true potential. These and other pro-Union myths are challenged and countered in the Scotland the Brief book produce by Business for Scotland. You can buy the book by clicking on the link below.

Scotland’s role in the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow has been strengthened by the backlash to reports that the UK government was working to sideline First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the event.

Messages have been leaked from advisers from No 10 and the Westminster Cabinet Office outlining their plan to downplay Ms Sturgeon's role at the historic climate change conference in November. Their fears that the event, which will focus world attention on the climate crisis, will become an ‘advert’ for independence have been made to look petty and ridiculous.

The revelations coincide with what has been called a ‘fortnight of showdowns’ the UK government faces with peers over its post-Brexit green protections widely derided as being too weak.

The notes also reveal a determined effort to ensure that the Union flag is displayed as much as possible at the summit

The advisers’ messages suggest that Boris Johnson should "neutralise" the First Minster by not sharing a platform with her at the event and including other devolved leaders where possible . One message referred to Sturgeon and said: "This can be labelled as a role for her [as one of the UK's leaders] but avoids her taking centre stage."

Another said: "We can't let this be used as an advert for an independence campaign."  The notes also reveal a determined effort to ensure that the Union flag is displayed as much as possible at the summit.

The irony of the UK government’s messages will not be lost on observers. While complaining about the First Minister’s ‘obsession’ with independence they suggest that public statements tied to the summit should focus on Glasgow as a city in the UK, and that mentions of Scotland should refer to its place within the United Kingdom wherever possible.

The First Minister responded on social media, tweeting: "All that matters is that COP26 delivers an outcome to meet the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

"We must work together and maximise contributions towards that. Anyone – me or PM –  who allowed politics to get in way would be abdicating that responsibility."

A UK government spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has been clear that there is a role for all the First Ministers from across the UK at COP26 and we are working together with the Scottish Government to ensure this crucial summit is a success." Which is not exactly a denial of the story.

There was no mention of Boris Johnson’s previously revealed statement that he ‘didn’t mind seeing a Saltire or two on that summit, but I want to see a Union flag – I don’t want to see Nicola Sturgeon anywhere near it."

The Prime Minister refused to meet the First Minister to discuss COP26 during his ill-fated trip to Scotland last month. Reports now suggest this was a deliberate decision as part of the wider effort to frame COP26 and green investment as a “UK win”.

The UK government is now facing tough challenges to its post-Brexit green protections. An alliance of crossbench and opposition peers has tabled more than 100 amendments to the environment bill in an attempt to beef up protections for nature, air quality and water standards and give the new green watchdog more powers.

UK ministers may be in the position of arguing in favour of reduced domestic environmental standards while trying to claim a global leadership role before the Glasgow climate conference.

They are also in an embarrassing position as more than 200 health journals worldwide today publish an editorial calling on world leaders to take emergency action on climate change and protect health.

The British Medical Journal said it is the first time so many journals have come together to make the same statement. The editorial says that ahead of COP26 “we – the editors of health journals worldwide – call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5C, halt the destruction of nature, and protect health.

The greatest threat to global public health is the continued failure of world leaders to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5C and to restore nature

“The science is unequivocal; a global increase of 1.5C above the pre-industrial average and the continued loss of biodiversity risk catastrophic harm to health that will be impossible to reverse.’

It adds: “The greatest threat to global public health is the continued failure of world leaders to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5C and to restore nature. Urgent, society-wide changes must be made and will lead to a fairer and healthier world.'

Dr Fiona Godlee, editor-in-chief of the BMJ and one of the co-authors of the editorial, said: “Health professionals have been on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis and they are united in warning that going above 1.5C and allowing the continued destruction of nature will bring the next, far deadlier crisis.’

The date of the Believe in Scotland mass Day of Action for Independence has been revealed as Saturday, September 18. More than 80 Yes groups from all over Scotland have already signed up to take part and ‘fire the starting gun on a major coordinated grassroots independence campaign ‘ that will run until indyref 2 takes place.

The day will see a host of events being staged throughout the country, from socially distanced street stalls and coffee mornings to foodbank drives, beach and park clean ups and Yes hub open days to more ambitious musical events. The Yes groups have also committed to deliver more than 150,000 leaflets through doors right across Scotland in the day - especially in key areas.

All will share the same aim - to convince voters that a Yes result will give us the chance to emerge from the pandemic as a stronger, more equal country with justice, fairness and diversity at the heart of a resurgent economy.

Believe in Scotland is organising the Day of Indy Action in collaboration with the National Yes Network and The Scottish Independence Foundation. Believe in Scotland is discussing with the National Yes Network the establishment of a support network and distribution network to make sure as many people as possible receive Day of Action and Believe in Scotland information.

It would be great if everyone could join in and help their local Yes group. The indie movement needs a shot in the arm

Believe in Scotland founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp revealed that 86 Yes groups had so far committed to taking part and he expected that number to grow to more than 100 before the big day. He urged the movement to get behind the initiative and said: “It would be great if everyone could join in and help their local Yes group.

‘Even hanging a saltire from a window, digging out an old Yes sign or just sharing the key messages we post on social media during the day allows everyone to take part.

“This won't just be a one-off day of action, rather it will fire the starting gun on a major coordinated grassroots independence campaign that will run until we win independence in indyref2 (probably in early 2023).

‘The Indy movement needs a shot in the arm; it needs a major boost. Too much internal wrangling among the supporters of pro-independence political parties online in combination with lockdowns has demotivated many Yes supporters and this will get the movement going again”.

He added: “There is obviously a risk that a circuit breaker lockdown will be required but if that's the case we have contingency plans to move everything online and then hit the streets again as soon as we can”.

The National newspaper is the media sponsor of the Day of Indy Action, which is being held on the seventh anniversary of the first independence referendum in 2014 and we will be partnering to create some very special content on the day.

Every Yes group that registers as a Believe in Scotland campaign partner to participate in the Day of Indy Action will receive a free campaign and fundraising pack worth between £125 and £250, depending on the size of the group. Organisers hope that the local groups will be able to sell items such as the free copies of the Scotland the Brief book included in the packs and raise as much as £20,000 for themselves.

Mr MacIntyre-Kemp hoped the event will galvanise supporters to recapture the energy of the movement, saying: “It’s time to stop complaining and start campaigning.”

The best message you can send is that the grassroots are up and running, firing on all cylinders and ready to win this time

He added: “Even if you are one of those in the movement who voice suspicions that the SNP don't really want to hold a referendum, you must realise that the best message you can send is that the grassroots are up and running, firing on all cylinders and ready to win this time.

Believe in Scotland was launched in January 2020. Since then we have grown to include more than 15,000 subscribers, pledgers and Stakeholder members. It was The National’s independence campaign of the year in 2020 and now has around 200,000 followers across  various Facebook pages and groups.

Local Yes groups can still join in by emailing Believe in Scotland or getting in touch via their representative to the  National Yes Network and individual can pledge their support for believe in Scotland here www.believeinscotland.org/pledge