Scottish Independence: Pro-Unionists Promise Scots More Power After Shock 'Yes' Poll

The UK Conservatives and opposition party Labour are frantically trying to tempt Scots away from voting for independence with the promise of increased power for Scotland's government, after a shock poll revealed that the "Yes" vote is now in the lead for the first time.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has joined UK Chancellor George Osborne in promising to discuss more powers for Holyrood, should voters opt against breaking the 307-year old union.

Osborne said: "You will see in the next few days a plan of action to give more powers to Scotland; more tax powers, more spending powers, more powers over the welfare state."

Scottish people will vote in an independence referendum on 18 September, 2014, and will be asked the straight "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

According to a YouGov poll on 7 September, support for Scottish independence took the lead for the first time since the referendum was announced.

The poll, which was conducted between 2 and 5 September, show 51% of the 1,084 surveyed are planning to vote for independence while 49% intend to opt for staying within the union with England.

What Are the Proposed New Powers?

The UK government has promised Scots more financial and regulatory power if the votes goes against independence.

However, Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond has called the pledge as a "panicky measure" and said has claimed it is akin to bribery.

Britain's government has promised that if Scotland remains part of the UK, then Scots will have more power to decide upon new taxation and welfare measures, as well as keeping a number of other subsidies that are being paid for by all UK taxpayers.

Meanwhile, shadow chancellor Ed Balls promised to "oversee a further and big transfer of financial powers from the Treasury to the Scottish government" under any future Labour administration.