'5% sway' on independence debate

Feb 5 2012

The gap between backers and opponents of Scottish independence stands at around 5%, a new poll has suggested.

A survey for The Sunday Times and Real Radio Scotland asked 1,000 adults: "Do you agree that Scotland should become an independent country?"

Thirty-seven percent of those quizzed agreed with the statement, while 42% disagreed.

However, more than a fifth of voters, 21%, said they were undecided on the issue.

Of those who were clear about their opinion, 47% said they were for independence and 53% were against it.

The question asked in the poll is the SNP's preferred wording for the referendum question.

Asked about further powers for Holyrood, almost half agreed that there should be "a further significant devolution of laws, taxes and duties to the Scottish Parliament". A quarter were undecided and a quarter disagreed.

However, if the referendum asked voters to chose between independence, giving the Scottish parliament more powers but staying within the UK or keeping things as they are now, the poll pointed to a small majority in favour of independence.

The study also offers an insight into people's current views on how life could be in an independent Scotland.

It found that more Scots than not think independence would be good for the nation's health, education, culture and environment, but revealed a concern about the impact of such a move on people's pockets.