Summary

  • Leaders of the three UK parties in pledge to devolve more powers

  • Nicola Sturgeon says the pledge offers "no guarantees"

  • There are just two days of campaigning left until the vote

  • Scotland's independence referendum takes place on 18 September

  • Voters will be asked: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

  1. Odds on favourite?published at 12:40 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    "Polling analyst and political gambler" Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB):

    New post. Why Ipsos-MORI's final #IndyRef poll could be the one to watch out for tomorrow night http://bit.ly/1uF8sDA, external

  2. Climate talkspublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    The Press and Journal

    The Press and Journal reports, external: "SNP environment minister Paul Wheelhouse and Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie announced yesterday that an independent Scotland will bid to hold the annual UN climate talks.

    "The annual talks bring together world leaders and diplomats with climate experts to help tackle climate change.

    "This year's talks will take place in Lima, Peru, in December."

  3. Sturgeon: Yes means jobspublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a Yes vote on Thursday will help Scotland "secure jobs and opportunities for our young people" for years to come.

    nicola sturgeonImage source, PA

    On a visit to Steel Engineering in Renfrew, she said the powers of independence would prevent people having to leave Scotland to find work.

    She said: "If we have our hands on the levers of economic decision-making, if we have access to our own resources, then we are able to design an economic policy to suit our needs.

    "Too many young people in Scotland leave every year. Now, seeing the world is not a bad thing to do. But many people leave because they can't find a job and we need to do something about that."

  4. Tackling sportpublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Rugby players from Stornoway, on Lewis, have been discussing how an independent Scotland might affect the future of the British Lions team.

    Alex Cuthbert scoresImage source, Getty Images

    One said: "Whatever the outcome, we'll all still be friends the next day - hopefully".

    'Is sport more important than politics?' is here.

  5. Postpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    John Beattie
    BBC Scotland

    On air @BBCRadioScot all the latest on #indyref

  6. Sturgeon on 'funding gap'published at 12:04 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has denied that details of a potential £400m NHS funding gap means the health service is at risk under the SNP.

    She said: "This is a discussion document not a decision document. I'm part of a Government that has protected the revenue budgets of the health service and will continue to strive to do that.

    "It's a discussion document written in the context of the status quo, not in the context of independence."

  7. Postpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Newsbeat

    Tonight's the night! Switch on to @BBCNewsbeat's #bbcindyref debate at 2100 with @edibow & @itschrissmith

    Newsbeat
  8. More Brownpublished at 11:47 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Gordon Brown adds: "Nobody should be told that they are any less patriotic or proud of their country.

    "I want the best for this country."

  9. 'Lack of answers'published at 11:43 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Mr Darling adds: "Two days away and Alex Salmond is still refusing to answer basic questions about what independence would mean. He can't explain what would happen if firms start moving their headquarters away from Scotland, south of the border.

    alistair darlingImage source, PA

    "And they don't need to do this, they don't want to do this. They are being forced to do this because of the uncertainties created by Alex Salmond's lack of answers."

    Criticising Mr Salmond on the currency issue, Mr Darling says: "He can't even tell us what money we will be using two days before we go to the polls and it's not surprising that people are scared about that.

    "What could be more scary than not knowing what currency we would have if we vote for independence?"

  10. Gordon Brown speakspublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Gordon Brown says: "For months the Scottish National Party has said the issue is independence or no change.

    "For months we have been saying that the real way to change is not to separate off Scotland but to have a stronger Scottish Parliament.

    Gordon Brown

    "Yes we need change but I think people are going to come to the conclusion what they want is the Scottish Parliament as part of the UK."

  11. No answers from economistspublished at 11:36 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Robert Peston
    Economics editor

    Robert Peston warns Scottish voters in his blog that economists have no simple answer about how they should vote.

    "Here is the bad news if you haven't made up your mind whether to vote for Scotland to become independent - economic analysis cannot give you the answer.

    "Scotland" rockImage source, Getty Images

    "That is partly because this dismal science is not capable of giving wholly (and sometimes even partly) accurate forecasts about the future prosperity of nations."

  12. Brown and Darling in Clydebankpublished at 11:31 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Better Together leader Alistair Darling are speaking to activists in Clydebank.

    Mr Darling says: "We are never complacent but we go to the polls with growing confidence.

    "Because our argument that Scotland is better and stronger as part of the UK is an argument that is finding more and more support from the quiet majority in Scotland. That is why I believe we will win on Thursday."

  13. Get involvedpublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    James Adams emails: It seems that we're now being offered a choice between Devo-max (awful name) and Independence lite. Both sides offering greater autonomy within a shared monetary, economic and trading union. Both promises require the backing of the UK government to work.

    Iain Steven, a small business owner, emails: A pledge, a vow, a Promise even a Contract, even signed by the political masters, BEWARE, even though they are the three party leaders, it is completely worthless. They are here representing the NO Campaign, NOT their parties.

    Tony and Oonagh Godfrey email: We are weary of the Murdoch inspired soundbites of the Yes campaign.eg - all is the fault of Westminster parliament or the views of business leaders who oppose Salmond's views are a set up by Cameron... We in England have no say in the matter. Surely in an unstable world we need to unite and not to return to a narrow nationalism.

  14. Money talkspublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Colletta Smith
    BBC Scotland Economics Correspondent

    BBC Scotland's economics correspondent Colletta Smith looks at what new powers are being promised to Scotland whether there is a Yes or No vote.

    Wake Up To Money can be downloaded here.

  15. Dundee United chairman backs 'Yes'published at 11:01 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has given his backing for a 'Yes' vote on Thursday.

    Dundee United chairman Stephen ThompsonImage source, SNS

    Mr Thompson said he believed Scotland is "more than capable of being a successful independent country".

    He added: "A 'Yes' vote will allow Scotland to maximise its potential on the world stage.

    "One of our biggest exports and assets has been our people from all walks of life, social and political background - and one of the greatest challenges we face is to grow job opportunities so more of our brightest youngsters stay and work here in Scotland.

    "There is no one better placed to make the best of Scotland than the people of Scotland and no amount of negativity from the 'No' campaign or media can change that."

  16. John Pienaar round uppublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    As Scotland's historic vote on independence nears, Radio 5 Live's political correspondent John Pienaar presents a lively round up of the latest from the campaign trail.

    John Pienaar

    It can be downloaded here.

  17. More Curranpublished at 10:36 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    "Compare that [the pro-Union offer] with the revelations we've had today about funding threats to the NHS - policies and issues and decisions that the SNP has tried to keep secret during this campaign," she added.

    "We have got a campaign of lies from the SNP who are trying to tell us that the NHS is under threat when in fact it is under threat from the SNP administration."

  18. 'Campaign of lies'published at 10:35 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran has accused the SNP of "a campaign of lies" in the lead up to the referendum.

    Speaking to the BBC she said the joint pledge made by the pro-Union parties today had been discussed openly for "many months" and been "thoroughly investigated". And she insisted it was the SNP who were keeping things from the voters.

    margaret curranImage source, PA

    Ms Curran said: "What is particularly new in this campaign is the guarantee of a timetable because we are absolutely sure in our commitment to the Scottish people that you'll get quicker, faster, more effective change with a 'No' vote compared to the risk and uncertainty you would get with a 'Yes' vote."

  19. Get involvedpublished at 10:33 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Jim, Dunkeld: I run a small business, Scotland is made up of 70% small businesses, I had the self belief and confidence. I feel if there's a "Yes" vote it will bring self belief and confidence, it will encourage youngsters to go into business.

    James, Bearsden: I have no problem about who comes here, [but] where are all these people going to live? Housing will be overwhelmed.

  20. The day ahead for "No"published at 10:17 British Summer Time 16 September 2014

    Labour leader Ed Miliband and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be on the campaign trail for Better Together in the central belt.

    Mr Miliband is expected to say: "The will of the people of Scotland for economic and political change has been heard and we will deliver.

    "Change is coming with more powers on tax and welfare for the Scottish Parliament. We will change the British state too, the House of Lords and the way we work together across our nations.

    "I ask the people of Scotland to lead that change of our whole British constitution."