UK thinks Scotland will go independent by 2025 as historic union faces break-up

The historic union between England and Scotland will be torn apart by 2025 as Scotland will split from the rest of the UK, according to the electorate.

A poll from Survation found that more than half of people in Scotland (52%) and almost three-fifths of respondents in England (59%) thought Scotland will go it alone sometime over the next 10 years.

But the survey, which was commissioned by think-tank British Future and questioned 3,977 people, also found that most Scots (60%) think that the nation is unlikely to become independent by 2020.

"It's interesting that Scotland is split pretty much down the middle on whether independence will happen, even within a decade, while more people in England think it's already lost," said Sunder Katwala, the director of British Future.

"This fits with Nicola Sturgeon's pragmatic, gradualist approach and reluctance to call a quick referendum.

"With nearly three-quarters of Scots wanting more powers, Sturgeon can feel confident that a broad consensus, uniting Yes and No camps, supports a new settlement for Scotland.

"David Cameron has more work to do with the English. Some doubt that the union can be saved and while only a minority are against Scotland getting more powers, he will have to persuade the undecideds that it's worth his time and energy."

The data comes after Sturgeon and Cameron met in Scotland to discuss the prime minister's devolution plans.

The Tory leader said he was open to "sensible suggestions" about giving Holyrood more powers from Westminster than what was laid out in the Smith Commission.

Cameron said: "The First Minister wants to send some proposals for me to look at and I'm happy to examine proposals, there's going to be a debate, of course there will be a debate. I don't rule out making other changes if sensible suggestions are made."

The case for further devolution was bolstered after the SNP secured 56 MPs in the House of Commons at the general election after the nationalists almost wiped out Scottish Labour.

But Sturgeon's party did not promise another independence referendum in their election manifesto. The SNP, however, may make such a commitment as one of their main pledges for the 2016 Scottish Parliamentary elections.