TWO-THIRDS of Scots trust the Holyrood government to work in the country’s best interests, while just 22% say the same about Westminster.
That’s according to the latest annual Scottish Social Attitudes (SSA) Survey, which polled 1043 people across Scotland between last October and March this year.
The ongoing survey project found huge disparities in views towards the Scottish and UK governments, with far more Scots feeling positive towards Holyrood and its policies.
Some 48% of Scots are more likely to trust the Scottish Government to make fair decisions, while just 15% feel this way about its counterpart in London.
The majority (58%) feel the Scottish Government is good at listening to the public before making decisions – while just 18% think this about the UK Government.
Meanwhile a whopping 75% of people said Holyrood should have the most influence over how Scotland is run, compared to just 14% who want Westminster to have more say.
Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said the findings demonstrate "continued faith in the Scottish Government".
“They clearly show that despite these uncertain times, people agree with the Scottish Government’s priorities to build a fairer, greener, wealthier Scotland," he went on.
“Given the clear democratic mandate we have, not to mention the continued trust the public has in the Scottish Government to act in their interest, we will work to ensure people have a choice on independence, ensuring that choice is an informed one.”
Meanwhile Scottish Greens co-leader and minister Lorna Slater MSP said the figures were evidence that people see the "positive impact" of her party on government.
“We have been in government for less than 18 months, but have already introduced an emergency rent freeze to protect tenants over the winter, as well as free bus travel for everyone under 22, and we have more than doubled the Scottish Child Payment to £25 a week for every eligible child.
“We are working for our environment and have delivered greater investment in recycling and renewables as well as a ban on new incineration and record funding for walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure."
She went on: “The survey shows the positive impact we are having with devolution. With the powers of a normal country we could do so much more. Independence would allow us to do even more to take a different and better path and to build a Scotland that works for people and the planet.”
The economy and taxation
The study also revealed people’s attitudes towards taxation. While Scottish Tories were calling for the now-scrapped mini-Budget to be replicated north of the Border, providing big tax cuts, a massive 64% of Scots would like to see the level of tax and spending on key public services increased.
People were asked about the economic situation in Scotland too. With a cost-of-living crisis and rocketing inflation, most people believed the economy was weaker than it was 12 months ago. Around a third felt this was mainly the result of Westminster actions, 25% blamed Holyrood and 33% cited “some other reason”.
Robertson went on: “Despite these figures being from earlier in the year it is clear the cost of living crisis was starting to impact family finances and alarm bells were ringing about the economy.
"The Scottish Government is working tirelessly to provide support to those who need it most. We are increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week and extending it to eligible children under 16 in the coming weeks, helping thousands of additional families this winter. We are also continuing to urge the UK Government to take all of the necessary steps to support the most vulnerable through this profoundly difficult time."
The publication of the data comes weeks after the British Social Attitudes Survey found support for Scottish independence at an all-time high.
It is the first time the annual report has found majority support for independence at 52%, with the fieldwork carried out in 2021.
The same data showed support for Northern Ireland remaining in the UK had also slipped, to just 49%.
Polling expert John Curtice said the UK Government now faces a “particularly formidable challenge” in bringing the Union together.
