SNP leader John Swinney has promised Scotland would be “better off with independence” and that leaving the UK would put “Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands.”

The First Minister’s remarks came as he outlined the case for separation today, arguing it could provide a boost to the NHS, the economy, and slash energy bills by a third.

Urging voters to back independence at the Holyrood elections in May, he argued the move could mean a “different policy approach” that “includes being able to lower household electricity bills by over one third.”

He said: “Think what that will mean for our NHS. Less money spent on energy bills means more money to spend on doctors and nurses, on more operations and appointments.”

Branding the First Minister a “man stuck in the past talking about independence,” Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar responded: “John Swinney has no energy, no ideas, and he has run out of time.

“John Swinney wants to talk about anything but his record, and anything but the big challenges facing people across Scotland.”