Independence will end poverty!

Scotland's deputy first minister will attack "heartless" UK government welfare reforms at her party's spring conference, in Glasgow.

She will say the changes are punishing the elderly and vulnerable.

Ms Sturgeon will seek to contrast the policy with an SNP vision to get people off benefits for the "right reasons".

The Westminster government says its UK-wide welfare reforms will save billions of pounds, by replacing disability living allowance with a personal independence payment and bringing in a single, universal credit.

But the SNP says the move will hit some of the people most in need of help.

Ms Sturgeon, also Scotland's health secretary, will tell the last day of the SNP conference that the Holyrood government has shown what can be achieved with the current devolved powers.

"But if we are to use all of the resources, skills and talent we have as a nation to build an even better Scotland, we need independence," she will say.

"Only independence can stop Westminster governments squandering energy wealth, while our older folk struggle to pay their heating bills.

"Only independence will put a stop to heartless Tory welfare reforms that punish the vulnerable and the disabled.

"And only independence will give us the powers we need to rid Scotland of the poverty and deprivation that still scars our nation."

Ms Sturgeon will also use her speech to announce more support for carers.

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