A MAJORITY of people in the UK believe Scotland will become an independent country despite the No vote in last year's referendum, according to a study.
In Scotland, 69 per cent believe there will be a split while 59 per cent of those surveyed in England, 54 per cent in Wales and 59 per cent in Northern Ireland think that Scotland will eventually leave the UK.
The findings are from a survey of more than 7,000 voters across the UK by a team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh. The level of engagement around the referendum looks to have had a legacy with 76 per cent of Scots who took part saying they will vote in May's election, compared to 63 per cent in England, 64 per cent in Wales and 55 per cent in Northern Ireland.
The contrast is bigger among young people with 65 per cent of 18 and 19-year-olds in Scotland saying they will vote, compared to just 34 per cent in England.
The survey also found that satisfaction with the UK's current constitutional arrangements varies. In England, 43 per cent believe their country receives less government spending than it is due while the figure is 44 per cent in Scotland, 37 per cent in Northern Ireland and 68 per cent in Wales. The researchers found that there is majority agreement that a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union (EU) should be decided by a majority of votes across the UK, instead of individual countries being allowed to veto the result.
In Scotland, 45 per cent support a proposal that each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would have to vote in favour of an EU exit for it to happen. In the other countries, support is lower.