The First Minister has ruled out holding a second referendum on independence this year.

Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly said a fresh vote is “highly likely” after Scotland voted to stay in the European Union but the rest of the UK backed an exit from the organisation in June last year.

In an interview with STV News, the SNP leader ruled out holding a second vote in 2017.

Sturgeon said: “Not this year but I have made [it] very clear there is an absolute essential requirement for Scotland to remain in the single market because it matters to jobs and investment and livelihoods and living standards across the country.”

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When asked again if she is ruling one out this year, the SNP leader said “there is not going to be an independence referendum in 2017, I don’t think there is anybody who thinks that is the case”.

The First Minister said a referendum “has to be on the table to make sure Scotland is not driven off a hard Brexit cliff edge”.

The Scottish Government has drafted legislation to put the question of independence to voters again if it believes independence is the only way of maintaining Scotland’s membership of the European single market.

A consultation on the draft legislation is due to end on Wednesday.

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In December, the First Minister published her government’s Brexit proposals to the UK Government.

Sturgeon wants Downing Street to seek full membership of the EU’s single market and customs union.

If the UK Government does not favour single market membership, the First Minister wants a new devolution deal to enable the Scottish Government to work towards a separate deal keeping the country inside the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves.

The Prime Minister has said she will begin the process of leaving before the end of March.

Secretary of state for Scotland David Mundell told MSPs in October he “would anticipate” the Scottish Government knowing Downing Street’s negotiating position before the Prime Minister triggers Article 50.

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Sturgeon warned Theresa May she is “not bluffing” about pursuing a second independence referendum if the UK Government pursues a “hard Brexit”.

Sturgeon said: “They will be making a big mistake if they think I am in any way bluffing.

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“Here we are, we voted to stay in the EU, we were told that voting No was the only way to stay in the EU and now we face being taken out of the EU.

“If, on something as fundamentally important as the membership of the EU and the single market, and all the implications that has for us, if we are going to be ignored, if our voice is going to be completely cast aside, our interests cast aside, then that can happen on anything.”

The SNP manifesto for last year’s Holyrood election said the country “should have the right” to hold a second independence “if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.”

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “This is an empty gesture from a First Minister who is leaving Scotland in limbo.

“If she’s serious about allowing Scotland to move on from constitutional navel-gazing, she should ditch her draft referendum bill immediately.

“People want a Scottish Government that gets back to the day job – sorting out our schools, and using the vast new powers the Scottish Government now has.

“Anything that falls short will simply confirm the fact that this is a First Minister who is still putting the interests of her party before the country.”

Scottish Labour welcomed the First Minister’s words and joined the Conservatives in calling for any plans for a referendum to be ditched “altogether”.

The party’s deputy leader Alex Rowley said: “While it is welcome that Nicola Sturgeon has ruled out another independence referendum in 2017, this doesn’t come close to ending the uncertainty.

“The First Minister should rule out forcing another independence referendum on the people of Scotland altogether, not just for the next twelve months

“Labour will not support another independence referendum. More than two million people in Scotland voted to remain in the UK, and that result should be respected.”