Over 60% of people do not think SNP leader Alex Salmond and his party have made a convincing case for independence so far, according to a poll.

Figures released today by Better Together, the group campaigning to keep Scotland in the UK, show that 62% of people surveyed said the SNP's case for independence is either "not very convincing'' or "not convincing at all''.

More than a fifth of those respondents were people who claimed to have voted for the Nationalists in the Scottish and UK parliamentary elections - 24% and 22% respectively.

The poll, carried out by YouGov for Better Together, surveyed a total of 1,038 Scottish adults this week.

It found that 30% of those asked are convinced by what they have heard from the SNP so far, with 11% saying the case for independence is "very convincing" and 19% responding that it is "fairly convincing".

Respondents also highlighted the issues they believe will be important in deciding how they vote in the referendum, which is to be held on September 18 next year.

In a question which allowed them to choose up to three options, the main issues raised were: the economy (59%), tax and spending levels (39%), pensions and welfare (36%), health services (30%) and currency (22%).

Better Together leader Alistair Darling said: "Whether on Europe, Nato, currency or pensions, the Nationalists have been exposed as being dishonest and disorganised on their preparations for independence.

"The SNP have no answers on basic questions like which currency we would use or who would pay for our pensions. Their case is falling apart day by day.''

A spokesman for Yes Scotland said: "The evidence is clear that Scotland would be more prosperous as an independent country with the means and the will to be a fairer country too.

"We will continue to press the positive and optimistic case for an independent Scotland which we firmly believe will win the day on September 18 next year.

"It makes sense for us to have the powers we need to match our priorities and aspirations while maintaining a strong social union with the rest of the UK.''

Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said the poll was a blow for the SNP.

"It reaffirms that Scots simply don't trust what they hear from Salmond and Sturgeon,'' she said.

"The SNP change their mind on the currency question more often than the weather changes. People are rightly questioning whether they're simply making it up as they go along.''

Commenting on the poll, SNP campaign director Angus Robertson said: "Polling already shows that a clear majority of Scots want all tax and spending, welfare and pensions to be decided by the Scottish Parliament.

"They also support keeping the pound post-independence - which Darling also called 'desirable and logical'.

"All this poll proves is that the No campaign is being led by what the Tory Government says - a fact which will haunt their campaign.''

Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "People need to see clear and credible answers from the Nationalists on their plans for tax, pensions and the welfare system in an independent Scotland.

"It simply isn't credible to continue to roll out the stock accusation of scaremongering in the face of legitimate concerns from people across Scotland."

Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said Mr Salmond was "making it up as he goes along".

"It is staggering to think that with just 17 months to the referendum vote the SNP is clueless on so many fundamental issues, such as what currency we would have in our pockets under separation," he said.

"Alex Salmond thinks he can bluff his way to next year's vote by pretending everything will be the same under independence.

"But people remain unconvinced with his flimsy arguments that separation would somehow allow Scotland to still keep the pound, be a member of Nato and be fast-tracked into the EU."