More than half of Scotland's charities think the independence referendum debate is uninspiring and predictable, a new survey suggests.

Meanwhile, 40% of charity and third-sector organisations remain disengaged from discussion of Scotland's constitutional future.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) surveyed more than 200 charities about their impressions of the debate so far and were told the main players were failing to properly address key issues such as poverty, welfare, jobs, health and social care.

More than 70% of those who responded also said their organisation would not come out in favour of either a yes or no vote, due to concerns about alienating supporters, service users, members or volunteers. Some also said they were unlikely to take part due to a lack of resources and the cost of staff time.

Only 7.5% of those who replied said they thought the debate was "inclusive", a result SCVO described as worrying, while just 16% said the discussion so far had been engaging and 3% said it had been clear.

Charities also told their umbrella organisation they felt the independence debate was making it difficult for them to plan for the long term.

John Downie, SCVO director of public affairs, accused the main campaign groups and politicians of alienating people working in the voluntary sector, and said charities should have a role in the constitutional debate to ensure they represented people traditionally alienated from politics, who could have a say and participate in the national discussion.

"These results show too much party politics, mudslinging and a failure to talk sensibly about big issues have turned charities off the debate about Scotland's future," he said. "Neither side has painted a vision of the Scotland they would like to see. More importantly, no side in the debate has spelled out how they will deal with the major challenges facing Scotland and the people the third sector works with and supports every day.

"We don't need more rhetoric about how things will be better. We need hard facts on how they'll eradicate the blight of poverty and inequality, and introduce a welfare system that supports people when they need it most."

Instead, he argued, charities, and the public alike have the impression that MSPs, political parties, and the Yes Scotland and Better Together campaigns are living in a political bubble.

"It's time for the third sector to get more involved and speak up about a whole range of issues - from poverty and inequality to social care and giving more power to communities. If we don't, no-one else will," Mr Downie said.

"Charities in Scotland have connections to all parts of Scottish life. We are in a unique position to help turn this debate around and ensure it reflects the kind of Scotland people want to see."

The survey highlighted general poverty, welfare reform, social care and community empowerment as the four most important topics charities wanted to see debated.

However, it also reflected the reluctance of many charities to put their collective heads above the parapet. One said his charity would not be participating in the debate because "the very vociferous verbal attacks frequently launched against people who do voice opinions on this debate" prevented their organisation from getting involved.