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Scottish independence: Scots and English 'willing to share institutions' | Scottish independence: Scots and English 'willing to share institutions' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
People across the UK appear willing to continue sharing institutions after Scottish independence, according to the annual British Social Attitudes survey. | |
The survey indicated almost 70% of people in England and Wales believe an independent Scotland should be allowed to share the pound. | The survey indicated almost 70% of people in England and Wales believe an independent Scotland should be allowed to share the pound. |
And more Scots think Trident nuclear missiles should stay in the country than think they should leave. | And more Scots think Trident nuclear missiles should stay in the country than think they should leave. |
The majority of Scots also wanted to keep the monarchy and the BBC. | The majority of Scots also wanted to keep the monarchy and the BBC. |
According to the survey, which was carried out last year, 38% of those questioned in England and Wales said if Scotland left the UK it should "definitely be allowed" to continue to use sterling, while 31% believe it should "probably be allowed" to do so. | According to the survey, which was carried out last year, 38% of those questioned in England and Wales said if Scotland left the UK it should "definitely be allowed" to continue to use sterling, while 31% believe it should "probably be allowed" to do so. |
In Scotland, 79% believed the country should continue to use the pound in the event of a "Yes" vote in September's referendum, while 11% said it should have its own currency and 7% favoured the euro. | In Scotland, 79% believed the country should continue to use the pound in the event of a "Yes" vote in September's referendum, while 11% said it should have its own currency and 7% favoured the euro. |
The research also found 28% of people in Scotland said that, while they want to be able to use the pound if the country is independent, they "anticipated that in practice this would not be possible". | The research also found 28% of people in Scotland said that, while they want to be able to use the pound if the country is independent, they "anticipated that in practice this would not be possible". |
In February, Chancellor George Osborne ruled out a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK, a position backed by Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and the Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. | In February, Chancellor George Osborne ruled out a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK, a position backed by Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and the Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. |
A currency union with the rest of the UK is the preferred option of the Scottish government, which has accused its Westminster counterparts of "bluff and bluster" over the issue. | A currency union with the rest of the UK is the preferred option of the Scottish government, which has accused its Westminster counterparts of "bluff and bluster" over the issue. |
Nuclear submarines | Nuclear submarines |
Elsewhere, the survey suggested 41% of people in Scotland believed Trident nuclear submarines should continue to be based at Faslane on the Clyde after independence, while 37% said they should not. | Elsewhere, the survey suggested 41% of people in Scotland believed Trident nuclear submarines should continue to be based at Faslane on the Clyde after independence, while 37% said they should not. |
In England and Wales, just over a quarter (26%) of people agreed that Britain's nuclear weapons should continue to be based in Scotland if it becomes an independent country, while 63% said they should either "definitely" or "probably" be moved elsewhere. | In England and Wales, just over a quarter (26%) of people agreed that Britain's nuclear weapons should continue to be based in Scotland if it becomes an independent country, while 63% said they should either "definitely" or "probably" be moved elsewhere. |
The Scottish government has pledged to remove all nuclear weapons from Scotland after independence. | The Scottish government has pledged to remove all nuclear weapons from Scotland after independence. |
The research was carried out by NatCen, which said "people in Scotland are not necessarily convinced that becoming independent should require the removal of British nuclear weapons". | The research was carried out by NatCen, which said "people in Scotland are not necessarily convinced that becoming independent should require the removal of British nuclear weapons". |
Its research also suggested 62% of people in Scotland think an independent Scotland should keep the same King or Queen as England, while 65% in England and Wales agree. | Its research also suggested 62% of people in Scotland think an independent Scotland should keep the same King or Queen as England, while 65% in England and Wales agree. |
And 86% of people in Scotland would like to be able to carry on watching the BBC after independence, while 82% of those in England and Wales think they definitely or probably should be allowed to do so. | And 86% of people in Scotland would like to be able to carry on watching the BBC after independence, while 82% of those in England and Wales think they definitely or probably should be allowed to do so. |
But while about half of Scots (47%) think they should be able to claim both a British and a Scottish passport should Scotland become independent, only one in three people in England and Wales think they should be able to do so. | But while about half of Scots (47%) think they should be able to claim both a British and a Scottish passport should Scotland become independent, only one in three people in England and Wales think they should be able to do so. |
More powers | More powers |
If the referendum results in a "No" vote, 45% of people in England and Wales would support Scotland having more power and responsibility over taxation and welfare, with 27% opposed and 23% neither in favour nor against such a move. | If the referendum results in a "No" vote, 45% of people in England and Wales would support Scotland having more power and responsibility over taxation and welfare, with 27% opposed and 23% neither in favour nor against such a move. |
The report stated: "Public opinion in the rest of the UK would not necessarily be enthusiastic about more Scottish devolution, but would probably be willing to tolerate it," | The report stated: "Public opinion in the rest of the UK would not necessarily be enthusiastic about more Scottish devolution, but would probably be willing to tolerate it," |
Prof John Curtice, of NatCen Social Research, said: "If Scotland does vote to leave the United Kingdom, Scotland and England will have to find ways of getting along with each other. | Prof John Curtice, of NatCen Social Research, said: "If Scotland does vote to leave the United Kingdom, Scotland and England will have to find ways of getting along with each other. |
"In some instances, such as the monarchy and the BBC, there appears to be a willingness on both sides of the border to share institutions. | "In some instances, such as the monarchy and the BBC, there appears to be a willingness on both sides of the border to share institutions. |
"Even on the issue on which the Scottish and UK governments have been most obviously at loggerheads - on the prospect of an independent Scotland sharing the pound - public opinion in England and Wales may not necessarily be as hostile to the idea as has sometimes been suggested. | "Even on the issue on which the Scottish and UK governments have been most obviously at loggerheads - on the prospect of an independent Scotland sharing the pound - public opinion in England and Wales may not necessarily be as hostile to the idea as has sometimes been suggested. |
"However, those living in the rest of the UK might want Trident moved out of Scotland, irrespective of whether a future Scottish government is willing to keep the nuclear weapons facility on its shores or not." | "However, those living in the rest of the UK might want Trident moved out of Scotland, irrespective of whether a future Scottish government is willing to keep the nuclear weapons facility on its shores or not." |
Responding the survey's findings on the currency of an independent Scotland, a Treasury spokesman said: "The position on currency union is clear. The Chancellor, Chief Secretary and shadow chancellor have all said there will not be one with a separate Scotland. | Responding the survey's findings on the currency of an independent Scotland, a Treasury spokesman said: "The position on currency union is clear. The Chancellor, Chief Secretary and shadow chancellor have all said there will not be one with a separate Scotland. |
"The only way to keep the pound is to stay together in the UK. | "The only way to keep the pound is to stay together in the UK. |
"Public opinion has shifted, and shifted significantly. When it comes to a currency union, the people don't want it, business rejects it and parliament would never pass it." | "Public opinion has shifted, and shifted significantly. When it comes to a currency union, the people don't want it, business rejects it and parliament would never pass it." |
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We believe nuclear weapons have no place in Scotland, and have made clear our intention to negotiate for the removal of Trident within the first parliamentary term of an independent Scotland." | A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We believe nuclear weapons have no place in Scotland, and have made clear our intention to negotiate for the removal of Trident within the first parliamentary term of an independent Scotland." |
She added: "As we have outlined, an independent Scotland will keep the pound, and a formal currency union will be in the overwhelming economic interests of the rest of the UK." | She added: "As we have outlined, an independent Scotland will keep the pound, and a formal currency union will be in the overwhelming economic interests of the rest of the UK." |