English keener on Scottish independence than Scots

Support for Scottish independence is much higher among English voters than those north of the border, a new poll shows.

A majority oppose higher spending on Scots households and votes for Scots MPs on English-only issues and 56% believe it is now time to end the 300-year-old Union, according to the ICM poll for the News of the World.

But in Scotland itself - where the high-flying SNP is promising a referendum on independence if it takes power in Thursday's Holyrood parliament elections - only 41% back the move.

The two nations' voters also disagree about the continued justification of Scots receiving more public funding per head - 53% against in England to 55% for in Scotland.

But they are in agreement over the so-called "West Lothian Question" - with a majority of both wanting Scots MPs banned from deciding English policy at Westminster.

More than two thirds (68%) in England want the change, with 58% backing it in Scotland.