Text of the speech delivered today by Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish National Party Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister, in which she focuses on the themes of "the benefits and possibilities of independence", and the "two futures" facing Scotland under either a Yes or No vote in the referendum.

Ms Sturgeon said: "In 70 weeks' time, each of us will give our own answer to the question - 'Should Scotland be an independent country?' and the nation, collectively, will decide.

Over the next 70 weeks, people the length and breadth of the country will make up their minds on what is, undoubtedly, the greatest opportunity of our lifetimes. Many will change their minds – perhaps several times – before a final decision puts them in the Yes or the No camp.

In a keynote speech in Glasgow on Monday, Deputy First Minister and Depute SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon will move the referendum campaign onto a new level, and put further detail on the theme of the "two futures" facing Scotland between independence or continuing under Westminster control, which lies at the heart of the choice between Yes or No next September.

The speech to Yes activists in Glasgow marks the start of 70 weeks to the referendum, and will begin to highlight specific policies designed to lift people's sights to the possibilities of independence in vital areas such as welfare.

Welcoming a Panelbase poll commissioned by the Scottish Green Party, which demonstrates that the prospect of a fairer society is a major motivating factor in the independence referendum, SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The UK is the 4th most unequal country in the developed world, and securing the powers of an independent Scotland with a Yes vote next September is the means to achieving a fairer society and stronger economy. We know that a majority of people in Scotland already want the Scottish Parliament, not Westminster, to make the policy decisions on pensions, benefits and taxation.

"It is only with the powers of independence that we can take key decisions such as scrapping the Bedroom Tax, and saving hundreds of millions of pounds by getting rid of Trident nuclear weapons that 80 per cent of people in Scotland don't want to stay on the Clyde."