SUPPORT for independence has remained steady in a new poll which shows more voters are unsure of their position on the constitution.
The percentage of those in favour of independence was stable on 45% in new polling by Redfield and Wilton, which also found the “don’t know” camp had increased by one point to 7%.
Some 48% were opposed to independence – down one point from the last time the pollsters carried out the same research a month ago.
Redfield and Wilton’s monthly tracker found that Scottish independence remained most popular among younger age groups, with 54% of 16-24-year-olds in favour, 62% of those aged 25-34 and 52% among those aged 35-to-44. Older age groups were all majority No voters.
But independence was not a priority for most voters, though it outranked the environment, education and Brexit as a key issue for the next election.
Among SNP voters at the 2019 election just under a third said independence was the key issue at the next election, with 66% prioritising the economy and 64% the NHS.
The study, carried out between August 5 to 6, found that 22% of all voters said their vote would be determined by “Scottish independence/the Union” while housing was picked by 21%.
Education was the most important issue for 20% of voters with only 18% saying the environment was the key issue at the next election. Just 14% of voters identified Brexit as a key issue.
The SNP hold a three point lead over Labour, who are polling at 34%.
But Humza Yousaf’s approval rating in the monthly tracker may cause concern among the SNP, with a net approval rating of minus 11%, down one point on last month.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer enjoyed the highest net approval rating in Scotland – joint with Anas Sarwar – of 2%, up three points on last month.
Sarwar is however a less popular choice than Yousaf for First Minister, with 38% backing the SNP leader versus 28% for the Scottish Labour chief.
SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said: "This poll shows that people across Scotland continue to back the SNP and our positive vision for Scotland - but we take absolutely nothing for granted.
"It also shows that people value the First Minister's focus on supporting households through Westminster's cost of living crisis and protecting people from the worst of Tory policies like the two-child cap and abhorrent rape clause - with Humza Yousaf continuing to be people’s top choice for First Minister.
"Only the SNP are offering a real alternative with independence - which would rid Scotland of the chaos of Westminster, protect the powers of our Scottish Parliament, and build a fairer, greener, more prosperous future for Scotland.”
