English support for Scottish independence falls

Only a fifth of people in England think Scotland should become independent, a national survey has found.

An apparent increase in support for Scottish independence in England in 2011 has largely been reversed. Picture: Jane Barlow

The latest British social attitudes survey shows that an apparent increase in support for Scottish independence in England in 2011 has largely been reversed.

After increasing from 19 per cent in 2007 to 26 per cent in 2011, support has fallen back to 21 per cent.

Almost half of people in England think Scotland should remain part of the UK with devolution of some powers while 18 per cent think it should be part of the UK without its own parliament.

The findings are part of the NatCen Social Research survey. Conducted last year, it asked 925 people in England about their attitudes to Scottish independence.

It also found only 16 per cent of people think it would be in England’s interests to leave the UK. The full survey will be published next week.

Report author Professor John Curtice said: “Some have argued that a backlash has been developing south of the Border against the advantages that Scotland seemingly enjoys and the demands it continues to make.

“But rather than being fuelled by the debate, whatever signs there were of such a reaction have apparently been snuffed out.”