More than 4 in 10 people across the UK think Brexit has made Scottish independence more likely, according to a new poll.

The number far outweighed the 30 per cent who thought that leaving the European Union would make no difference and the 27 per cent who were not sure.

The public is also divided over whether or not they believe Theresa May will get a good deal in Brexit negotiations with Brussels.

The poll, by YouGov for Channel 5 News, found that 44 per cent had total confidence in the Prime Minister, while 42 per cent had no confidence.

The results were clearer when people were asked if they thought that Parliament had spent too long debating Mrs May's Brexit Bill.

The results show that 44 per cent of people said yes, 22 per cent no and 18 per cent said that MPs had discussed the Bill for around the right amount of time.

Earlier this week a BMG poll for The Herald showed that a “clear majority” of Scots are against another independence referendum before Brexit negotiations end, but that the country is split 52-48 in favour of remaining in the Union.

The study suggests that support for Scottish independence has increased following the prime minister’s “hard Brexit” speech in January.

BMG Research interviewed 1,009 Scots aged 16 and over between February 23 and 27.

The poll found that 41 per cent support independence, 44 per cent oppose it, while 13 per cent are unsure and 2 per cent would not say.

When “don’t knows” were excluded, the result was close, 52 per cent to 48 per cent against independence.

Asked if there should be another independence vote before Brexit, 49 per cent said no, 39 per cent said yes and the remainder said they were unsure.

The results mean those who had a view were against another vote in the next two years by 56 per cent to 44 per cent.