Independence for Scotland is an “economic necessity”, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has insisted as she said that the country is being “held back” by Westminster.

Ms Forbes said that leaving the UK could be a “fresh start”, as she blamed successive UK governments for “economic decline”.

The Deputy First Minister spoke out after thousands of independence supporters marched through the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday.

The rally, the latest in a series organised by All Under One Banner, came after First Minister John Swinney this week insisted that having a second referendum has “never been more important, more urgent or more necessary”.

Ms Forbes, meanwhile, argued that an independent Scotland would have its economy boosted by being able to rejoin the European Unions.

She also clai

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