Sturgeon refuses to abandon independence plans

Falling education standards, poor life expectancy, and the impact of the oil price crash were highlighted in a study showing the country trailing behind other developed nations. Scotland

crashed four places to 20th in an international league table measuring social and economic wellbeing over the past decade. The findings came as Ms Sturgeon rejected calls to back down over a

second poll on breaking-up Britain despite pleading with rivals to unite over Brexit. Marking the 20th anniversary of the devolution vote she said Holyrood should “seek a new spirit of

consensus” in opposing the UK Government’s EU Withdrawal Bill. Repeating claims of a “naked power grab” by Westminster the First Minister also said she would make the case for more control

over immigration, trade and employment.  But she was accused of “shameless scaremongering” as Tories insisted Holryood’s powers will be enhanced, rather than diminished. Opponents also

criticised her party’s decade long record in office after think-tank Scottish Trends found Scotland was one of only five of 32 OECD countries to see a fall in prosperity. RUTH DAVIDSON SLAMS

NICOLA STURGEON OVER POSSIBLE TAX HIKE In 2006 Scotland was ranked 16th in the index of social and economic wellbeing with a score of 2.1 on key measures of income, education, longevity and

inclusivity. > Education, supposedly the government’s top priority, has gone > backwards >  > Jackie Baillie But last year this fell 1.98, just ahead of Slovenia in 21st place

with a score of 1.95. Wales, Northern Ireland, Greece an Finland also saw their scores fall. England’s and the overall ranking for the UK did not change, while former Eastern bloc countries

Poland and Estonia recorded the biggest increases in scores. The Scottish Trends figures were released by leading economist John McLaren, who said “that greater political devolution alone

does not equate to growing prosperity”. GETTY Ms Sturgeon rejected calls to back down over a second poll on breaking-up Britain His paper added: “In the case of Scotland this fall was due to

a worsening education performance, exacerbated by falling income levels associated with the decline in North Sea-related activity. “Furthermore, Scotland’s very poor life expectancy

performance failed to improve, in relative terms, over the decade.” Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said: “This is a damning indictment on policy areas the nationalists have had

complete control over for 10 years, like education and health.” Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie added: “Education, supposedly the government’s top priority, has gone backwards in many areas

during the SNP’s time in office and unacceptable health inequalities still remain.” GETTY She was accused of 'shameless scaremongering' as Tories insisted Holryood’s powers will

be enhanced The Scottish Government insisted devolution has been “overwhelmingly positive” with improvements in life expectancy and falling inequality. A spokeswoman added: “In addition,

recent economic data shows Scotland’s growth figure outstripping the UK’s, employment is at a record high, and we remain one of the leading destinations in the UK for overseas direct

investment – all of which is being put at risk by the UK Government’s extreme Brexit plans.” Earlier, speaking in Edinburgh Ms Sturgeon said there was still “passionate disagreement” about

“the final destination of our constitutional journey”. However, she said a “new spirit of consensus to match that achieved in 1997” was essential, “with Brexit now threatening the

underpinning principle of devolution and many of our vital national interests”. Ms Sturgeon urged party leaders “not to be blinded by our disagreements” and unite with her to “defend”

Holyrood’s powers. The Scottish Government will shortly publish a series of papers making the case for extending these in areas such as employment, immigration and trade. Ms Sturgeon has

repeatedly threatened to recommend that MSPs reject a legislative consent motion on the so-called Repeal Bill. It comes amid a stand-off over some powers going to Westminster to allow for a

UK-wide framework in areas such as farming and fisheries. GETTY Labour’s Jackie Baillie believes the SNP's time in power have left unacceptable health inqualities Although she has

“reset” her timetable for another vote on independence, she has warned of a poll “when the terms of Brexit are clear”. Yesterday [MON] pressed on why other parties would work with her in

such circumstances, Ms Sturgeon replied: “For the same reason we should be prepared to work with other parties because actually sometimes the national interest means that we should put aside

party interest, that’s what happened 20 years ago. “It would have been easy for the SNP to have stood aside from the referendum 20 years ago because independence, our favoured option was

not on the ballot paper but we decided rightly not to do that.” But Scottish Conservative MP Paul Masterton said: “She cannot preach to others about consensus while she refuses to take the

threat of another referendum off the table.”