Danger for darling: The Better Together campaign is facing questions about its tactics

Gap closes in Scottish independence campaign as ‘yes’ camp gathers momentum

Gap closes in Scottish independence campaign as ‘yes’ camp gathers momentum

The gap between the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns in the Scottish referendum has narrowed to seven points, amid signs of momentum in the independence camp.

Thirty-nine per cent of respondents said they would vote 'yes' in September, up two points, against 46% saying they would vote 'no', down three points.

Fifteen per cent of people are still in the 'don't know' category, down one point.

There was a noticeable shift towards support for independence among traditionally critical higher income groups, with support in the ABC1 social grade rising from 36% to 39% and support for the union falling from 52% to 51%.

At the other end of the scale, support for independence among the C2DE social grade went from 38% to 39%, while 'no' support fell from 46% to 43%.

In another worrying sign for the 'no' camp, fewer than two-thirds of voters said they believed Scotland would be given extra powers in the event of a 'no' vote.

The polls essentially put the 'yes' and 'no' camps back where they were a couple of months ago, as the gains made in the wake of George Osborne's threats about currency union appear to have been wiped out.

But 'no' campaigners will be concerned by the sense that the momentum is increasingly with the 'yes' camp.

The polls are also likely to raise questions about the Better Together campaign, which has been criticised for focusing on negative messaging and not making a positive case for the union.