London: David Cameron pleaded with the Scots to stay in the UK, while also warning there is still difficult work ahead when it comes to repairing the economy.

The devolved Scottish government of First Minister Alex Salmond is pushing for separation from the United Kingdom when Scots vote on September 18.

In his New Year message on Tuesday, Salmond urged Scots to seize the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

“2014 will be a truly amazing year, one where the eyes of the world will be on Scotland,” he said.

“Let’s make sure that 2014 is the year when we take responsibility for shaping our own future.”

However, Cameron said the referendum mattered to the whole of the UK and urged Scots to reject independence, saying “we want you to stay”.

“This is not a vote for the next few years but a vote that could change our country forever,” he said on Wednesday in a statement released just after midnight.

“Our family of nations is at its best when we work together with shared interest and common purpose.

“This year let the message go out from England, Wales and Northern Ireland to everyone in Scotland: we want you to stay and together we can build an even stronger United Kingdom for our children and grandchildren.”

Polls consistently suggest Scots favour remaining in the 300-year-old political union.

2014 is a big year for Scotland as alongside the referendum, Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games while Gleneagles stages golf’s Ryder Cup.

Cameron also emphasised the coalition’s determination to stick to austerity and continue “vital work on the deficit” despite signs the economy is turning a corner.

“It’s a new year and for Britain there can only be one new year’s resolution to stick to the long-term plan that is turning our country around,” he said. “When we came to office, our economy was on its knees. Three and a half years later, we are turning a corner.”

“The plan is working. That’s why this year, 2014, we are not just going to stick to the plan we are going to redouble our efforts to deliver every part of it, to benefit the whole country and secure a better future for everyone.”

Highlighting the progress made in 2013 as the country returned to growth, he said there remains “difficult work” ahead to protect the economy for the long term and keep mortgage rates low. Cameron also hinted there could be more measures to help people with the cost of living, as the coalition comes under pressure from Labour over squeezed household budgets. “We’re going to keep on doing everything possible to help hardworking people feel financially secure ... cutting income taxes and freezing fuel duty,” he said.

Other priorities for the year will be more action on cutting the welfare bill and immigration and improving school standards, he added. “We’ve already capped welfare and cut immigration and this year, we’ll carry on building an economy for people who work hard and play by the rules,” the prime minister said.