SUPPORT for independence is sitting at 53 per cent, according to the latest figures from Ipsos.

The same poll also showed that the SNP would pick up 40 seats at the next General Election while Labour would secure 13, and the Tories just two.

Support for independence meanwhile was at 53%, with 47% of people saying they would vote to stay in the Union.

Backing for Yes is down just one point since the firm last asked respondents the question in November.

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Reacting to the news, the SNP's depute leader Keith Brown said on Twitter/X: "Support for independence at 53%. 

"With SNP leading and support growing to 39% for Westminster and well ahead on FPTP and list votes. 

"Independence is our way to escape the Westminster imposed cycle of decline."

Elsewhere, the Alba Party said: "It's time. The people are ready and Alba are the only party with a plan to get us there."

The Ipsos survey suggested the SNP would win 39% of the vote to Labour's 32% while the poll made for bad news for the Conservatives, who polled at just 14%. 

Following the defection of Lisa Cameron, the Tories have seven seats in Scotland but the figures suggest this would be cut to just two. 

On the poll, managing director of Ipsos in Scotland Emily Gray commented: "These results underline that while the Labour Party is making considerable headway in Scotland, the party's leadership should not be complacent about the SNP as an electoral force. 

"Humza Yousaf's party still has a lead on voting intention for both Westminster and Holyrood elections and is the party that the Scottish public trust most to manage the NHS, the economy, education and the cost of living crisis. 

"The direction of travel will worry the SNP, as Labour has been gaining ground across a range of policy issues while trust in the SNP has been on the wane.

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"Given the profile of marginal seats in Scotland, even small changes in vote share can make a big difference to the final result - which means there is still much uncertainty for the parties at this point in an election year."

Ipsos interviewed 1005 people across Scotland between January 25 and 31.

The latest polling comes after The National revealed last month that support for Scottish independence was four points ahead of the Union, according to a survey by FindOutNow. 

It had support for Yes sitting on 52%, with No trailing behind on 48%, excluding the "don't knows".