THE SNP annual conference kicks off today, the last full gathering before the independence referendum next year.

Alex Salmond is welcoming the party's MSPs MPs, MEPs and delegates from around Scotland to the conference in Perth, where they will debate a number of motions on policy in an independent Scotland should it be successful in campaigning for a Yes vote next September.

Motions on the 'bedroom tax', Royal Mail privatisation, tax avoidance and pensions are among the topics being considered.

MP Angus MacNeil and MSP Colin Keir have proposed a motion calling for Scotland to have control of Air Passenger Duty to help grow tourism.

They argue a reduction would boast the UK economy by £5bn a year and create 60,000 jobs.

Linda Fabiani, East Kilbride MSP, has a motion on repealing the 'bedroom tax'. It states the policy is "unjust and unworkable" and affects 80,000 households in Scotland.

Ms Fabiani's motion states: "Conference welcomes the Scottish Government's commitment to scrap the bedroom tax within a year of independence, another major gain that can only be achieved with a Yes vote next September."

SNP Business Manager, Derek MacKay MSP, said: "Westminster's bedroom tax debacle is a graphic illustration of the Yes case that the best government decisions for Scotland are those made in Scotland.

"The incompetence and cruelty of the bedroom tax and the soaring number of people dependent on food banks in resource-rich Scotland show why we cannot afford to leave powers over welfare, the economy and pensions in Westminster's hands, and why we need to take these decisions in our own parliament."

The SNP Trade Union Group is calling for the re nationalisation of the Royal Mail, a pledge given in the Scottish Parliament by Alex Salmond should he lead a government in an independent Scotland.

The motion states a universal postal service is needed for business and people throughout Scotland and said an independent Scotland should maintain a six day service and if necessary re-nationalise the Royal Mail.

The First Minister will address the conference on Saturday with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon giving the main speech tomorrow.

Other Cabinet ministers, including Finance Secretary John Swinney, Health Secretary Alex Neil and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will also address the event,

The four day event closes on Sunday with a Yes Scotland independence rally event in the main hall.

The SNP said there will be 1200 delegates and 50 diplomats from around the world attending the conference.