In an appearance on BBC Breakfast this morning, the SNP leader was asked if the budget to prepare for another vote – for which around £20 million has been set aside – would be cut in order to support people further with the cost-of-living crisis.

‘We’re talking about this financial year and the independence referendum, I hope, will be in the next financial year,’ she said.

‘So even if we did, which we’re not going to because I was elected as first minister on a commitment to democracy…

‘I was elected with a record share of the vote in the Scottish Parliament elections last year on a record turnout. So. we’re going to deliver on that commitment to people.’

Want to see how Scotland is better as part of the UK?