Bank of England governor Mark Carney is planning to meet Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond amid speculation about the future of UK finances should voters choose to break away in a referendum.

Mr Carney, who is due to make a speech in Scotland later this month, told MPs on the Treasury Select Committee that he was looking forward to meeting Mr Salmond.

He said: "Our offices are working to arrange a meeting and I very much look forward to that opportunity.

"That effort has been ongoing and there is certainly the will on both sides to have a constructive discussion."

It comes days after the Treasury pledged to honour all UK Government debt up to the date of potential Scottish independence.

Meanwhile, figures today showed Scotland's gross domestic product grew by 0.7% in the third quarter of last year.