NICOLA STURGEON announced her government will explore the prospect of a state-owned national infrastructure company today, as she said she was “more confident than ever” Scotland would achieve independence.

The SNP First Minister said a new infrastructure commission would explore the feasibility of a such a government-owned body. It is thought this could end the role of private finance in public works, following the failure of private finance initiative (PFI) projects.

“We are building a new Scotland here at home,” she told SNP conference in a closing address today. “And we’re putting Scotland firmly on the map.”