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Sturgeon: Education at heart of programme for government

“If the miscarriage hadn’t happened, would I be sitting here as first minister right now?”

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Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for the Sunday Times said: “We felt our piece highlighted sympathetically the treatment of women politicians and the subject of miscarriage but on reflection we could have presented the sidebar more sensitively”.

Ms Sturgeon has previously asked to be judged on her record on education over the new parliamentary term.

Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of placing a “lead weight” on Scotland’s economy after announcing her government will draw up plans for a second independence referendum that are ready for “immediate introduction”.

In a speech to MSPs at Holyrood in May, Ms Sturgeon outlined a comprehensive programme including early action to prepare for new social security powers and delivering 50,000 affordable homes over the parliament.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The Bill is an important signal of our determination to tackle domestic abuse in all its forms”.

Ms Davidson said her party wanted to see more opportunities for Scottish firms to export overseas, major new investment in home-energy efficiency, a “genuinely ambitious” housebuilding programme and cuts to business rates.

Sturgeon has said Britain’s June vote to leave the European Union, dragging Scotland with it, has shifted the debate dramatically just two years after Scots voted by 10 percentage points to reject independence.

As well as investing in “vital infrastructure”, she stressed ministers are “stepping up our support for business in the wake of the referendum”.

The support will be delivered via a three-year Scottish Growth Scheme, which will see the government work to unlock investment for the private sector following the uncertainty caused by the vote to leave the EU.

“We are determined to build an economy where everyone has a fair chance to contribute to growth and where everyone can share in the benefits of growth”.

Dugdale said: “The SNP government today has the opportunity to lay a programme for government before the most powerful Scottish Parliament ever”.

In addition, a governance review to be published by Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney next week will look at how to “empower schools and decentralise management”. They now have another five years.

The Scottish Government has already set up a new business information service to provide advice and support for firms anxious about Brexit while a post-referendum business network is being set up with the Scotland Office, Scottish Trades Union Congress and business organisations to help shape future policy and support. This was re-shared by Davidson, who added: “Oh, I do SO enjoy when I’m categorised as a “childless politician”.

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“With Theresa May and her cabinet struggling to set out a clear or coherent plan for Brexit, and Labour more intent on pressing the self-destruct button, it is only the SNP who have provided leadership in these uncertain times”. She will find no support on these benches for a second independence referendum. She said that the Brexit had changed the situation and therefore the country needs a new vote on the possible secession from the United Kingdom.

After Brexit, Scotland to Gauge Public Opinion on Second Independence Referendum