Nicola Sturgeon has again said there will be another independence referendum

The SNP leader gave the closing speech of her party’s conference, held virtually again because of Covid restrictions.

She spoke of the pandemic being the overriding priority at the moment.

But she again re-iterated her previous statements that once the pandemic is over there will be another vote on whether Scotland should leave the UK.

Sturgeon urged people to look to other countries similar in size and population to Scotland.

She said: “We said that when the covid crisis has passed, we would give the people of

Scotland the choice of independence – and we will.”

Making the comparisons with other countries, Sturgeon said: “For countries of Scotland’s size, independence works. Our neighbours in north-west Europe are wealthier than the UK. All of them.

“They are more equal than the UK. They have lower levels of poverty. They have higher productivity, which drives better living standards. And, of course, they all get the governments they vote for.

“In measure after measure the evidence is overwhelming and conclusive – independence works.”

She listed Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Norway and Finland, adding “These are disparate countries with different resources and economies.

“But independence works for all of them. With all our resources and talent, it will work for Scotland, too.”

Opposition leaders said the speech lacked new ideas and was “old rhetoric” while huge challenges faces the country now.

Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s spin does nothing to tackle the levels of child poverty on our streets, the numbers waiting for treatment in our hospitals, and the depth of the economic crisis facing Scotland.

“We are up against a global pandemic, a growing healthcare crisis, a jobs crisis and a climate emergency – there is no time to waste.

“There were no new ideas for to help Scots, just the same old rhetoric, slogans, and platitudes.

“Scotland deserves so much better than that.”

In the speech the First Minister criticised the UK Government on a number of fronts including blocking a referendum.

She also said it was wrong on its asylum policy and on benefits as it pushes ahead with the plan to remove the £20 a week universal credit uplift.

On a referendum she said: “They want us to look inwards not outwards. And the reason?

“They know - and are terrified by the prospect - that when we look outwards we see

all around us the evidence right there in front of our eyes. The evidence that independence works.

On asylum and the current crisis facing people in Afghanistan she said: “Offering asylum to those in dire need is an expression of our common humanity.

The UK Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill fails that basic test of humanity.

It could criminalise those seeking sanctuary from oppression simply for claiming asylum.”

On universal credit Sturgeon said: “In Scotland alone it risks pushing 60,000 people - including 20,000 children - into the formal definition of poverty.

“Most of those affected are either in work or not able to work due to health or caring responsibilities.

“The loss of more than £1,000 a year will be utterly devastating.

“It will quite literally take food out of children’s mouths.”