Scotland Could Use The Pound Without Bank Of England's Support After Independence, Alex Salmond Says

Has Salmond Just Revealed His 'Plan B'?

Alex Salmond has said that keeping the pound without the backing of the Bank of England is a viable "transitional option" for an independent Scotland, after being severely criticised for not revealing his "Plan B" if Scotland cannot permanently use the currency.

Salmond is now under pressure from anti-independence campaigners Better Together to reveal what currency he would use after the transitional period, just one month ahead of the crucial vote.

The Scottish Government insist Scotland will keep the pound in a formal currency union with the remainder of the UK, but all UK parties have ruled this out.

Scotland goes to the polls on September 18

The Scottish Government's Fiscal Commission has proposed a range of alternatives, including a new independent currency, joining the euro and the informal use the pound using a process called "sterlingisation".

Speaking on Good Morning Scotland, Salmond said: "The Fiscal Commission said there were a number of viable alternatives, including as a transitional point exactly that (sterlingisation).

"But the best option for Scotland is keeping the pound in a currency union.

"As a transitional option, the Fiscal Commission said it was viable, but there are a number of other viable options.

"But the key point we're making is arguing for the sterling union, which we think is the best option for Scotland."

Meanwhile, a new poll has recorded the highest ever level of backing for a Yes vote.

The YouGov poll for the Times showed a boost in support for independence, which it put at 43%, with 57% backing the Union, excluding undecided voters.

YouGov polling from earlier this month put the figures at 39% for Yes and 61% for No.

The poll of more than 1,000 people between August 12 and 15 also found an increase in the proportion of voters who believe an independent Scotland would be better off, up from 27% in June to 32%.

The proportion of people who believe the country would be worse off fell from 49% to 46% over the same period.

The latest poll shows 44% of Scots think that Westminster parties are bluffing by ruling out the Scottish Government's favoured option of a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK, compared with 40% who believe the assertions.

YouGov found 45% back a currency union, 23% want a separate Scottish currency, 6% support the euro and 8% back a sterlingisation model.

The findings follow weekend polls that showed a similar move in support for independence.

An ICM poll of more than 1,000 people for the Scotland on Sunday newspaper put Yes backing at 45% and No at 55%, when Don't Knows were excluded.

Meanwhile, another poll by Panelbase, commissioned by the Yes campaign, reported findings of 48% for Yes and 52% for No when undecided voters were removed.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the recent spate of polls show the Yes campaign has a "spring in their step".

He told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We've now had three opinion polls over this weekend showing significant gains for the Yes campaign.

"One of the things that the polls today indicate is it is moving in our direction. Firstly, the vast majority of people in Scotland want to keep the pound and a majority of people don't believe the Westminster attempt to say they'll seize all the UK financial assets.

"I think it's actually becoming more clearly understood that we can't actually be stopped from using the pound. What they're talking about is seizing the assets of the Bank of England and not giving Scotland any share, in which case of course they would have to stump up on the national debt."

Better Together campaign director Blair McDougall said: "This is yet another poll confirming we speak for the majority of Scots when we say 'No thanks' to the risks of independence.

"With just over one week until the postal votes of up to one million people are delivered, Scots still don't know what currency we would use in a separate Scotland. We don't know what money our wages, pensions or benefits would be paid in and we have no idea what currency we would use to pay for our schools and hospitals. It all means independence isn't a risk worth taking.

"There can be absolutely no complacency from those of us who believe the brightest future for Scotland is to remain in the UK."

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