The union is being stretched "to breaking point" by the Conservatives and the SNP, the Scottish Labour leader has claimed.

Kezia Dugdale said 2017 is the year to save the union from independence.

It is the Labour leader's latest comments on the constitution following the publication of her party's plan for a new Act of Union following a UK-wide constitutional committee.

Dugdale said: "In 2014, we saved our union and I was proud to be part of a campaign that stood up for Labour values of solidarity and cooperation.

"But 2016 saw the UK put at risk once again. The reckless actions of Ruth Davidson's Westminster colleagues led to a Brexit vote that created the divisions in our society that Nicola Sturgeon thrives upon.

"With the Tories pursuing a hard Brexit and the SNP pursuing independence, these two parties of government are stretching the union to breaking point.

She added: "But 2017 is the year we can put the building blocks in place to save our union.

"We can start preparing for a people's constitutional convention for the entire UK, and I have proposed a federal solution where every nation and the regions of England could take more responsibility for what happens in their communities - while firmly safeguarding the redistribution of wealth across the UK."

Her comments come ahead of the end of the Scottish Government's public consultation on a draft referendum bill on Wednesday.

Before the publication of the draft bill the First Minister said the people of Scotland "will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence - and to do so before the UK leaves the EU - if that is necessary to protect our country's interests."

In response to Dugdale's comments, SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said: ''It might be a new year but Scottish Labour has nothing new to offer to the people of Scotland.

"The messages in this speech are old - tired and out of touch.

"The truth is people in Scotland know that Labour would rather shore up the Tories in power in Scotland in the UK and in local councils than join progressive alliances to deliver better for local communities - counter the endless Westminster cuts and the utter chaos of Brexit."

He added: ''Kezia Dugdale and her party should be helping the SNP to fight today's battles.

"She could join us in supporting the Scottish Government's plan for Scotland in standing against the biggest threat to Scotland's prosperity and the biggest concern for families - business and educational institutions right now - a hard Brexit which risks our membership of the single market.

''Instead she prefers to peddle a single constitutional solution which suits her party rather than her country, while excluding the one option which might simply be the best one for Scotland - independence.''