Independence support falls to 44%, poll finds

Support for Scottish independence has fallen below the 45% achieved in the 2014 referendum, a new poll has found.

The YouGov poll for The Times newspaper found backing for a Yes vote in a second ballot on the country's constitutional future stands at 44%, with No on 56%.

It comes as the SNP concludes its national survey which aimed to speak to two million voters about their views on Europe, Brexit and independence.

Valuable data gathered during the exercise could be used by the party if Nicola Sturgeon decides to call another referendum on leaving the UK.

She has said the option remains on the table should the UK's Brexit deal fail to protect Scotland's interests in Europe.

Ms Sturgeon is considering arrangements which could allow Scotland to remain in the European single market, and is expected to publish options in the next few weeks.

The YouGov poll also reveals that only 31% of Scots want the Scottish Government to campaign for independence in the next two years. A further 56% think it should not, while the rest do not know.

Respondents were asked about whether they think it would be "realistically possible" for Scotland to remain part of the EU after the rest of the UK leaves, regardless of their support for such a move.

Only 22% said they thought this would be "probably possible", with 62% saying "probably not possible" and 16% said they did not know.

YouGov polled 1,134 people from November 24-29.

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