30 August 2014 Last updated at 08:17 ET

Scottish independence: Campaigns focus on jobs and cost of living

Scotland goes to the polls in less than three weeks' time

Scotland Decides

Campaigners for the Union have not guaranteed that Scotland would get new job creation powers if it rejects independence, the first minister said.

Alex Salmond said there was a "jobs gap" in the "No" campaign's offer of more powers after the referendum.

This week, Mr Salmond challenged both David Cameron and Alistair Darling to provide details of job boosting powers.

Meanwhile, Better Together have published a report saying a "Yes" vote would cost Scottish families dear.

It has examined the potential impact on energy bills, train tickets, pay slips, supermarket and credit card bills.

The report said the cost of living was currently lower north of the border than the rest of the UK but that this would go up if Scotland becomes independent.

It concluded this would be the case either because of a larger black hole in an independent Scotland's finances or the loss of pooling and sharing resources across the UK.

Launching the report in Edinburgh, Scottish Labour MSP, Jackie Baillie, said: "Times are hard enough as it is for families all across Scotland without increasing costs even more with independence.

"The fact is that independence would cost families in Scotland dear. The supermarket bosses and the energy experts have been very clear - leaving the UK would push up costs for families in Scotland.

"Being part of the UK we can spread the cost across an economy of more than 63 million people, rather than taking all the burden on the shoulders of Scottish families alone.

"We can have the best of both worlds for Scotland within the UK."

'Magic wand'

The first minister said that both Mr Cameron and Better Together leader, Mr Darling, had "confirmed the jobs gap in the No campaign's offer".

The SNP leader had challenged David Cameron to use his visit to Scotland this week to set out what additional employment boosting powers Scotland would be in line for if it stayed in the UK.

He also pressed Mr Darling on the issue when they went head to head in a BBC television debate.

Mr Salmond that while Scotland was "one of the world's richest countries" most people have "friends and family who have had to leave to get a job or further their career".

He added: "Independence isn't a magic wand but we'll be able to tailor economic policy to put job creation in Scotland first instead of a Westminster policy which has consistently favoured London.

"The Scottish government has already set out a long-term jobs plan which shows what can be achieved with control of key economic levers.

"By contrast, the failure of the No campaign to guarantee a single jobs power is important new information in the campaign as we reach decision point as a country."

Scotland will go to the polls in the referendum on 18 September, with voters being asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

Scotland Live

11:28: Tom English BBC Scotland

tweets: Celtic have legitimate gripes with Scepovic U-turn, but players pulling out of deals is not unusual. They'll have contingency plans, right?
Email: newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk 11:22: Medical advice - your views

Alan Cameron, Aberdeen: The male parent said quite clearly in the released video that he was concerned that seeking other treatment would result in a Protection Order. So that was why he and his family went abroad. The police are damned if they do, and damned if they don't do anything. The police are not medical experts and simply act (or not) on what they are told. The question for the hospital is why there was a six hour gap in the child going missing and the report to police. One could then argue that had there been adequate staff resources to notice the empty bed, then maybe this situation would not have been reached in the first place.
11:12: When Andy met the Anchorman

Actor Will Ferrell is one of the celebrity fans enjoying the tennis at the US Open.

As Ron Burgundy, Ferrell is known for is immaculate suits and salon-quality hair.

When he met up with Andy Murray, he questioned the Dunblane-born sportsman's fashion credentials.

Don't worry Andy. There are not many people who can live up the newsman's high standards.
Email: newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk 11:04: Get involved

As the referendum campaign reaches its climax, Good Morning Scotland's Gary Robertson is touring Scotland to highlight the big issues and get the views of voters.

This morning he was in the east end of Glasgow, which has some of Scotland's - and indeed the UK's - most deprived areas. Poverty and how to tackle it has been one of the biggest areas of debate in the lead up to the independence ballot on 18 September.

We want to hear what you think. How best should we tackle poverty in our communities? And is independence the best way to achieve change?

Tell us using #ScotlandLive, by emailing newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or texting 80295.
10:57: Lift in the lurch

Seven hotel guests had to spend part of the night trapped in a lift in Shetland.

The fire and rescue service were called to a hotel in Lerwick to help free the guests from the elevator in the early hours of this morning.
10:43: Medical advice - your views

Sheila Ferguson in reply to Lee Wootton on Scotland Live: A child with his parents cannot possibly count as abduction. They are his legal guardians. Everyone in the UK has the right to discharge themselves "AMA" - against medical advice. Do you want to take this right away? This case has got ridiculously out of hand. In the parents' eyes the doctors refused to give the child the optimal treatment for his cancer so they took him somewhere else to get it. How many charity appeals have you seen/given to - to take children to the US for instance - for "different" or "better" treatment?
10:36: Robson to Ross County?

After former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert was linked with the vacant manager's job at Ross Country, Aberdeen midfielder Barry Robson has played down his chances of becoming the new man in charge at the Highlands club.

Watch the former Celtic star discuss the speculation on BBC Scotland's Sportscene.
Email: newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk 10:27: Medical advice - your views

Lee Wooton: Can I just point something out to all those who are complaining about "police state"? This child was taken from the hospital without asking, against medical advice across Europe to a medical service that's recognised as being of lower quality than the NHS. If the hospital had not raised the alarm, I guarantee that many of the people complaining about heavy handedness would be complaining about the NHS letting a chid be abducted. Can we please stop complaining about doctors and nurses who worry about the wellbeing of a child and and recognise that the parents had a hand in things getting this far.
10:23: The Courier

@thecourieruk tweets: Philippines trio could face trial over claims they drove Fife teenager to suicide.

Read the full story here.
10:19: Inverness road closure BBC Scotland Travel Latest

The B9039 at the Dalcross to Inverness Airport junction has been closed due to a two-vehicle accident.

Emergency services are at the scene and diversions are being put in place.
10:10: Food and drink jobs hope

Nearly 10,000 additional jobs could be created in Scotland's food and drink sector over the next five years, according to a new report.

The Bank of Scotland found three-quarters of food and drink businesses it surveyed were forecasting up to 15% growth in the next five years.

Two-thirds said they were expecting to increase their workforce by 2019.
Text 80295 10:01: Medical advice - your views

Norrie: We are fast becoming a Police State - chasing parents who did nothing wrong in taking their child out of hospital AND routinely arming police officers on our streets without the consent of the people. This has to stop.

Patricia: Let this family be with this little confused little boy. What if this little boy dies without his family being with him - who will be responsible for this? This family were living in the moment of hope.

Moira: It is easy to demonise doctors and the NHS because we want them to get it right every time. Resources and knowledge are finite and sometimes bad news is so painful that you block out the worst news you could possibly have. The little boy's story is a tragedy for him and his parents and no one will be more aware if that than the medics treating him.
09:52: Wood you believe it?

The annual Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Championships - also known as Carve Carr-Bridge - was held on Saturday at Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park.

Moffat-based Pete Bowsher won the coveted Claymore Trophy for the second year in a row with his cowboy carving, I Told You To Draw. See more pictures here.
Email: newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk 09:46: Your pictures

Kirsi Sutherland grabbed this spectacular shot last night at the end of the fireworks display marking the end of the Edinburgh festival.

You can send us your pictures via email, text 80295 or tweet at #ScotlandLive and we'll use the best.
09:37: Transfer Deadline Day Graham Fraser BBC Scotland

Today is the day many football fans across the country have been waiting for.

At 23:00, the summer transfer window for clubs in Scotland and England closes.

Expect high drama, stressed out managers speaking to journalists through their car windows, and taxi drivers telling anyone who will listen that Messi is on his way to Glasgow.

Perhaps not. Follow all the twists and turns throughout the day on BBC Sport.
09:25: Tsonga 'less afraid' of Murray

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Andy Murray's opponent in the US Open later today, has said he is boosted by the Scot's uncertain form.

Ahead of the fourth round match at Flushing Meadows, the Frenchman said: "The locker room is maybe a bit less afraid of Andy because he's losing a few more matches than in the past."
Text 80295 09:16: Medical advice - your views

Maureen in Aberdeen: It's a disgrace the way the parents have been treated - the NHS is OK, but only OK. Who wouldn't go to the ends of the earth for their child? Doctors are not God, how dare they act as if they own someone's body and soul!

H in Edinburgh: The little boy's parents could have sought a second opinion etc leaving their little boy safely in hospital. They put their wee boy in grave danger exposing him to germs and infections.
09:05: What the papers say

Today's front pages don't just feature the referendum.

The Scotsman's splash says banning the return of British jihadis to the UK could be illegal, while The Daily Record leads with a former soldier who says the 13-year operation in Afghanistan achieved nothing.

Back on the referendum beat, The Herald warns of polling station clashes as tensions rise. Read our full review here.
08:55: A question of energy

What might a "Yes" vote in the referendum mean for energy policy?

BBC Scotland's environment correspondent David Miller has been finding out as part of our Daily Question series in the lead up to 18 September.

You can read his analysis here.
08:45: Rise in skin cancer cases

Skin cancer cases have increased two-and-a-half fold over the last 30 years - but survival rates have also soared, according to researchers from Glasgow.

Researchers from the Alan Lyell Centre for Dermatology in Glasgow found a significant rise in cases since 1990.

But they also noted that 85% per cent of men and 90% of women now survive for at least five years after diagnosis.

Scientists say more affordable foreign holidays, sunbeds and an ageing population is contributing to the increase in skin cancer.
08:32: All the sporting gossip

Sporting Gijon's Serbian striker Stefan Scepovic has pulled out of a £2.4m move to Celtic at the last minute, while Celtic have told defender Virgil van Dijk he will not be allowed to leave on deadline day.

Elsewhere, former Ajax striker Patrick Kluivert has "110%" ruled himself out of the running for the manager's job at Ross County.

And in golf, Rory McIlroy and Paul Lawrie have backed Scotland's Stephen Gallacher for a wildcard slot in the Ryder Cup team after he missed out on automatic qualification.

Read more of today's sporting gossip here.
08:22: Morning Call

This morning we're talking about the couple who took their five-year-old son Ashya, who has a brain tumour, from a hospital in Southampton. Brett and Naghemeh King face extradition to the UK after being arrested in Malaga.

Louise asks: Would you challenge medical advice when it comes to your child?

Elsewhere, with the Scottish Paranormal Festival about to start - are too quick to dismiss the paranormal?

Lines are open now. Call 0500 92 95 00, text 80295 or email morningcallscotland@bbc.co.uk.
08:15: Weather update BBC Scotland Weather Latest

Dry and bright with good sunny spells developing, the best in the south and east. The north west and Shetland will be cloudier with an odd very light shower. Winds will be light.

Temperatures will reach 19 or 20C in the Borders, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen. It will be 17 or 18C in Stornoway, Glasgow and Dumfries and closer to 15C in Shetland.

You can see a full forecast at BBC Weather.
08:09: Registration deadline looms

Both independence referendum campaigns have urged people to register to vote if they have not already done so.

Residents have until midnight on Tuesday to ensure they can take part in this month's ballot.

Voter registration in Scotland has already reached record levels, with more than 4.1 million people listed on the electoral roll.
07:58: Welcome Marianne Taylor BBC Scotland news

Good morning and welcome to BBC Scotland Live. We'll be here till 18:00 with all the latest news, sport, weather and travel from across the country.

You can keep in touch on Twitter using #ScotlandLive, via email or by text on 80295.