LATEST polling shows Labour improving its standings for the first time since the Holyrood election and narrowing the gap with the SNP.
Ipsos MORI put Labour on 32% among those certain to vote, up 9 points since January. The SNP remain the dominant party among voters with 45%, although this is down 4 points since January.
This decrease in support coincides with declines in the First Minister's popularity and support for independence, which have fallen by 5 points and 4 points respectively since January.
The Scottish Conservatives remain in third place on 12%, down a point since January. However, there is bad news for the Liberal Democrats, who are on 6%, down 4 points since January.
Christopher McLean, senior research executive at Ipsos MORI Scotland, said: "This is an encouraging poll for Johann Lamont and Labour. Following the increase in her personal ratings, it also suggests that she has had some success in reversing the considerable decline in support for Labour over the last 18 months."
Labour welcomed progress but admitted it had a way to go, while the SNP pointed to unprecedented levels of support.
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