Opinion is divided on the contentious issue of whether to offer a vote on Scotland's future to 16 and 17-year-olds, the UK Government's independence consultation shows.

Analysis of responses to the exercise that ended last month found 44% backed giving the youngsters the vote, but 47% opposed such a move.

The Scottish Government has been pushing to allow young people to have a say in the referendum, arguing they have a strong stake in the decision.

But the idea has previously been rejected by UK ministers who insist any vote should use established rules.

Last night, the Westminster Coalition admitted that reaction to the potential extension of the franchise to under 18s had been "mixed".

One submission, from the National Union of Students (NUS), argued it was "vital" that young people were given their say on the country's future.

But the Coalition insisted that it planned to push ahead in the belief the vote should be limited to those who can already vote in the Scottish Parliament elections.

It said it did not believe that the rules could be changed for just one vote.

In its formal response, the UK Government said: "Views on this were mixed, with a small majority against extending the franchise to this age group for the referendum."

It added "The UK Government continues to believe that the debate about extending the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds should be conducted separately and that any decision should be taken for all elections and not for a single vote."

But that view was rejected by the Scottish Government last night. A spokesman for Bruce Crawford, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business, said there had been "very substantial support" for the age group to be offered voting rights.

He added: "The issue of 16 and 17-year-olds taking part in the independence referendum must be determined in Scotland, not dictated against by Westminster."

The consultation document appeared to back the warnings by Coalition ministers that the delay was harming business investment.

ADS Scotland, which represents the aerospace and defence industries, said it was difficult to see how the current environment "adds to stability nor how it provides certainty".

The organisation claimed companies had a clear preference for a vote as soon as possible.

The Motor Sports Association – which covers all motorsport activities in the UK – went further.

It warned in a submission: "The uncertainty is affecting decisions about investment into Scottish projects.

Chris Campbell, the managing director of Campbell's Prime Meats, said: "It is not reasonable to put all government in Scotland on hold for two-and-a-half years while we face constitutional uncertainty".

However, almost a quarter of respondents, 22%, said that any timing was a matter for the Scottish Government.

The Electoral Commission warned that changes in 2014 – which will see the introduction of individual voter registration – could confuse people and throw up practical problems for electoral registration officials.

But an Electoral Commission spokeswoman last night said the organisation was not suggesting people would be left unable to vote.

Under the plans, all those registered to vote would remain on the register until at least 2015.