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Nicola Sturgeon has formally called for a Section 30 order to be granted

Sturgeon in formal request over Scottish independence

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to grant Holyrood the power to hold a second vote on Scottish independence.

UK • 19 Dec 19

Bank of Spain governor Luis Linde said Catalonia would lose access to credit from the ECB if it votes for independence

Spain central bank warns on Catalan independence

Spain's central bank today warned of financial risks from the Catalonia region's potential secession from Spain, days ahead of an election there framed as an indirect vote on independence.

Business • 21 Sep 15

The city police force, which is controlled by city hall, estimated turnout at 1.4 million

Almost 1.5m people take part in Catalan march

Some 1.4 million people have joined a march demanding independence for the Catalonia region from Spain, Barcelona city police said.

News • 11 Sep 15

A large majority of Catalans want to hold a referendum on independence, polls show

Catalan leader calls independence referendum

The president of Spain's Catalonia region, Artur Mas, has signed a decree calling an independence referendum on 9 November, a vote the central government has said would violate the constitution and has promised to block.

News • 27 Sep 14

'Better Together' campaigners gather in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Brown sets out schedule for Scottish powers

Gordon Brown has announced a timetable to give Scottish Parliament more powers, if voters reject independence in next week’s referendum.

News • 08 Sep 14

Scotland's referendum for independence will take place on 18 September

More powers for Scotland if shun vote - UK govt

Britain's government will set out plans in the coming days to give Scotland more autonomy on tax, spending and welfare.

News • 08 Sep 14

Alistair Darling (left) came off second best to Alex Salmond according to a snap poll

Poll puts Salmond on top in independence debate

Alex Salmond has won a key television debate against the leader of the campaign to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom, a snap poll has found.

News • 25 Aug 14

Does Scotland want independence? Voters will decide in September

Historic vote over Scottish independence

Scottish voters are preparing to go to the polls on 18 September to decide if Scotland should be an independent country. Fiona Mitchell examines the issues.

Special Reports • 01 Aug 14

Kingfisher boss warns on implications of Scottish independence

Scotland 'yes' vote could halt B&Q plans

The boss of B&Q has warned that investment would be put on pause in Scotland if there is a vote for independence.

Business • 30 May 14

Rating agency S&P warns of 'important considerations and uncertainties'

S&P eyes 'uncertainties' in independent Scotland

Standard & Poor's said there were "important considerations and uncertainties" that factored into the creditworthiness of banks should Scotland vote to end its union with England.

Business • 24 Apr 14

UK issues another warning on consequences of Scottish independence

UK may not buy power from independent Scotland

Britain may choose not to buy electricity from an independent Scottish state if prices are higher than imports from other neighbours.

Business • 09 Apr 14

Shetland Islanders celebrate 'Up Helly Aa' in the town of Lerwick in January

Islands may seek independence from UK and Scotland

Residents of three groups of remote Scottish islands, some of which straddle oil and gas fields northeast of Britain, are calling for their own breakaway votes and greater autonomy.

News • 24 Mar 14

George Sorros says independent currency for Scotland would be 'very inefficient and potentially dangerous'

'Independent Scotland would face currency dilemma'

George Soros said today it would not be practical for an independent Scotland to keep sterling but that a separate currency would be "potentially dangerous".

Business • 12 Mar 14

Standard Life has been based in Scotland for 189 years

Standard Life considering move from Scotland

Standard Life became the first major company to warn it could move parts of its business out of Scotland if Scots split from the UK.

Business • 27 Feb 14

Alex Salmond said: 'No member state has suggested they would seek to block Scottish membership'

Salmond: No nation has opposed Scottish EU plan

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said that no member state of the EU has indicated that it would seek to block Scottish membership of the 28-member bloc.

News • 17 Feb 14

David Cameron was speaking at the Olympic Park in London

Cameron calls for Scotland to remain in UK

British Prime Minister David Cameron evoked his own family's Scottish heritage as he set out an economic, political, cultural and emotional case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

News • 07 Feb 14

Britain's net debt stood at nearly £1.2 trillion sterling at the end of the 2012-13 fiscal year

UK makes debt pledge ahead of Scottish referendum

The British government confirmed today that it will take responsibility for all British government debt should Scotland vote for independence in September.

Business • 13 Jan 14

Catalan regional government head Artur Mas claims a referendum can be held legally

Spain dismisses referendum on Catalan independence

The Spanish government has poured cold water on proposals by separatist parties in the Catalonia region to hold a referendum on the region’s independence on November 9 2014.

News • 12 Dec 13

Alex Salmond says there would be no need to increase taxes if Scotland broke away from England

Independent Scotland would keep the pound: Salmond

An independent Scotland would keep the pound and remain in the European Union, its First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

Business • 26 Nov 13

Alex Salmond said tax rates would not increase if Scotland left the union

Scottish govt sets out independence proposals

The Scottish government has published its white paper on independence, outlining how it believes a Yes vote in next year's referendum could pave the way for a new era for the nation.

News • 26 Nov 13

Catalan President Artur Mas said he would still try to hold a referendum

Catalan separatists win Spain election

Separatists in Spain's Catalonia won regional elections yesterday but failed to get a resounding mandate for a referendum on independence.

News • 26 Nov 12

David Cameron and Alex Salmond signed the agreement in Edinburgh this afternoon

Deal signed for Scottish independence vote

British Prime Minister David Cameron and nationalist Scottish leader Alex Salmond have signed an agreement to give the Scottish people a referendum on independence in 2014.

News • 15 Oct 12

Accounts of Irish independence battle online

Eyewitness accounts of the battle for Irish independence are available online for the first time today.

News • 07 Aug 12

Independence