The leaders of the three main parties at Westminster have signed a pledge to devolve more powers to Scotland, if Scots reject independence.
The pledge, which appears on the front of the Daily Record newspaper, has been signed by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.
It has three parts and also commits to preserving the Barnett funding formula.
The Yes campaign has argued the only guarantee of more powers is a vote for independence.
The first part of the agreement promises “extensive new powers” for the Scottish Parliament “delivered by the process and to the timetable agreed” by the three parties.
The second says the leaders agree that “the UK exists to ensure opportunity and security for all by sharing our resources equitably”.
The third “categorically states” that the final say on funding for the NHS will lie with the Scottish Government “because of the continuation of the Barnett allocation for resources, and the powers of the Scottish Parliament to raise revenue”.
The Barnett formula is method used to determine the distribution of public spending around the UK.
The pledges were first outlined by the former prime minister, Gordon Brown, earlier on Monday.
The way the announcement has been made echoes the original pledge by Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband of greater devolution for Scotland. That promise was also first announced by Mr Brown.
Speaking on the BBC’s Newsnight programme, the prime minister said more powers had always been part of his plan.
“I always said right from the start of this campaign, if Scotland voted ‘No’ to separation, the rest of the United Kingdom would say ‘Yes’ to further devolution,” said Mr Cameron.
“If Scotland wants more devolution – and I think Scotland should have more devolution – you have to answer the prior question ‘Do you want to stay in the United Kingdom?’
“And of course that wasn’t just my view; that was the view of the leaders of other United Kingdom parties who all thought it was important. Let’s settle the question of separation and then look at devolution.”
Mr Cameron also said the question of whether Scottish MPs at Westminster should vote on laws that do not affect them will get “more pressing” if there is further devolution to Scotland.
Final days
On the penultimate day of campaigning ahead of Thursday’s referendum, the Yes side will focus on jobs and the NHS, while the No side will promise change and a “better Britain”.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary John Swinney will meet apprentices at an engineering firm in Renfrew. They will argue that independence will allow Scotland’s economy to grow, creating jobs and opportunities.
Ms Sturgeon will then join carers to talk about the NHS and welfare reform.
Ahead of the visit, she said: “In just two days’ time, polling stations will open and voters across the country will hold Scotland’s future in their hands. Independence is our opportunity to build a better future – creating jobs and protecting our NHS.
“Only a Yes vote will ensure we have full powers over job creation – enabling us to create more and better jobs across the country. So instead of almost 40,000 young people leaving Scotland each year as is currently the case, there will be more opportunities for our young people here at home.
“As part of the UK, our NHS budget faces knock-on impacts of the privatisation, cuts and charging agenda that is ripping the health service south of the border to bits. With a Yes vote we can ensure our NHS is protected for future generations by enshrining it in our written constitution.” BBC
