Commenting on the outcome of the latest TNS/BRNB (formerly System 3) poll conducted for the Herald newspaper, SNP Depute leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is the strongest level of support for independence since the spring, which is enormously encouraging.

"Compared to the last poll which asked this identical question - published less than two weeks ago - increased support for independence and a decrease in opposition has resulted in the gap being halved from 28 points then to just 15 points now. In addition, most of this polling took place before the highly successful launch of the Scottish Government's White Paper on Scotland's future last week.

"When this question was first asked in August 2007, there was a majority opposed to independence, but this is no longer the case, and we are entirely confident that we can bridge the remaining gap in a successful independence referendum campaign.

"The SNP Government has the confidence to test independence in a free and fair referendum. In contrast, the London-based parties are running scared of the people having their say on Scotland's future - an illiberal and anti-democratic stance for which they will pay a heavy electoral price.

"Scotland needs the powers of a normal independent nation so that we have the economic and fiscal levers needed to deliver strong and sustainable growth for our economy - and prevent either a Labour or Tory Westminster government slashing Scotland's budget."

Note:

TNS/BRNB (formerly System 3) fieldwork 25 November - 2 December 2009, 998 polled.

Do you agree or disagree that the Scottish Government should negotiate a new settlement with the UK Government so that Scotland becomes an independent state:

Agree: 31%
Disagree: 46%
DK: 23%

This identical question was last asked by YouGov fieldwork 18-20 November 2009 - and published on 24th November in the Daily Telegraph. The results were:

Agree: 29%
Disagree: 57%
DK: 11%
Wouldn't vote: 4%