A RECORD number of people in England are backing Scottish independence, although most people south of the Border want Scotland to remain within the Union, according to a new report on social attitudes.
However, it says recent claims of a significant and increasing English backlash against Scottish devolution are seriously exaggerated.
The report, published today by NatCen Social Research's British Social Attitudes survey, reveals there has been no deepening recently of a sense of English identity, no increased concern about Scotland's share of public spending, and no strengthening of demands that devolution be extended to England.
However, the figures show an all-time high of 26% of people in England backing Scottish independence. When the SNP came to power in 2007, the figure was 19%.
The figures also reveal under half, 44%, believe Scotland gets more than its fair share of public spending, although concern is growing. In 2008 it was 41%, the previous year it was 32% and in 2000 it stood at 21%.
Another sign of increased frustration with some aspects of Scotland's current position in the Union is reflected in the rising number of people who feel Scottish MPs should not be able to vote on English laws – the so-called West Lothian question.
The proportion that "strongly agrees" is now at 31%, compared with 18% a decade ago.
The analysis shows people in England remain evenly divided between those who say they are mainly English and those who claim to be primarily British, with 42% saying they are English, and 43% saying they are British. In 1999, 44% said they were English and 44% said they were British.
More than half, 56%, say England should be governed by the UK Parliament rather than by an English Parliament or by regional assemblies.
The report's author, Rachel Ormston, said: "Although public opinion in England has been affected by debates about devolution in the UK, this does not appear so far to have translated into either a majority demand for a change to the way England is governed, or to a widespread call for Scotland to leave the Union.
"Leaving England out of the devolution settlement may create difficulties that need to be addressed, particularly funding and the West Lothian question, but it may still be the best way of reflecting and respecting public opinion across the UK."
The SNP claimed the survey showed people from England were "increasingly comfortable" with the possibility of political and economic independence for Scotland. Its spokesman, Humza Yousaf, said: "The idea that Scotland gets more than its fair share of UK Government spending is not only factually wrong, it is one that people in England do not subscribe to. Hopefully, this latest survey's findings can go some way to putting this anti-independence myth to bed."
Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "Despite having a nationalist government that seeks a fight rather than a fix every time it deals with the UK Government, it is clear the majority of people in Scotland and the rest of these islands want to continue to work in co-operation and partnership.
"We will continue to present a positive case for Scotland staying strong and successful in the United Kingdom so that we can all share the benefits and spread the risks."
NatCen Social Research's British Social Attitudes survey has been charting national identity and reactions to devolution in England by asking the same survey questions in the same way since the creation of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in 1999.
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