Scottish independence ‘inevitable by 2045’ - poll

A MAJORITY of Scots are still sceptical about independence but most think it is inevitable by 2045 at the latest.

The latest polls do, however, have current support for independence at less than 50 per cent. Picture: PA

Independence is backed by 47 per cent of people in Scotland, slightly more than the 45 per cent who voted Yes last September, according to a Panelbase poll for The Sunday Times.

The result mirrors a YouGov poll for sister paper The Times yesterday which found 48 per cent support for independence. Other recent polls have put support for independence as high as 53 per cent

Over two thirds of people in the latest Panelbase poll believe independence is inevitable within 30 years.

The latest polls do, however, have current support for independence at less than 50 per cent. Picture: PA

Just under a third (31 per cent) think it is likely in five to 10 years, up from 25 per cent in April, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) think it will happen in 10 to 15 years, while over a tenth (12 per cent) think it will happen in 20 to 30 years.

More people (45 per cent) believe Scotland would be financially worse off under independence than those who think it would be better off (36 per cent) while 8 per cent are unsure.

Ms Sturgeon has pledged to set out the circumstances under which she would sanction another referendum in the SNP’s 2016 Holyrood manifesto.

Senior SNP politicians have suggested a vote to leave the EU against Scotland’s will, a failure to meet their expectations of more powers, a vote to renew Trident, ongoing austerity and perhaps a decision to go to war in Syria as possible triggers.