May will promise Sturgeon raft of new powers as they hold summit on Brexit

NICOLA Sturgeon is set to be promised dramatic new powers as Theresa May again tells her to drop her bid for independence.

The Prime Minister this week plans to reinforce her position that it is ‘not yet time’ for a second referendum, at a meeting with the First Minister which is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

But Miss Sturgeon will be promised the temporary power to change all Scottish laws, to ensure they continue to work after the UK has left the EU, as part of the UK’s Great Repeal Bill, to be launched on Thursday.

It means key EU rights enjoyed by workers – such as equal pay, annual leave and maximum weekly hours – will be protected in Scotland. The powers come with a deadline, meaning Miss Sturgeon will face a race against time to ensure all Scottish laws are ready for the UK leaving the EU, in March 2019.

Mrs May will urge her to focus on making the most of these powers, rather than campaigning for a second independence referendum.

A UK Government source said: ‘Next week will mark a defining moment in this country’s history, when the Prime Minister invokes Article 50 and opens the way for formal negotiations to leave the EU and build a truly global Britain.

‘But a strong, sovereign country needs control of its own laws. That, more than anything else, was what drove the referendum result: a desire for the country to be in control of its own destiny. So next week we will get on with the job, and set out the steps we will take to ensure control of our laws lies in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.’

The Scottish Government confirmed Miss Sturgeon is keen to meet the Prime Minister, in what will be their first head to head since the SNP leader demanded the power to hold another referendum.