A majority of Scots are still sceptical about independence but most think it is inevitable by 2045 at the latest.

Independence is backed by 47% of people in Scotland, slightly more than the 45% who voted Yes last September, according to a Panelbase poll for The Sunday Times.

The result mirrors a YouGov poll for sister paper The Times yesterday which found 48% support for independence. Other recent polls have put support for independence as high as 53%

Over two thirds of people in the latest Panelbase poll believe independence is inevitable within 30 years.

Just under a third (31%) think it is likely in five to 10 years, up from 25% in April, nearly a quarter (24%) think it will happen in 10 to 15 years, while over a tenth (12%) think it will happen in 20 to 30 years.

More people (45%) believe Scotland would be financially worse off under independence than those who think it would be better off (36%) while 8% are unsure.

Ms Sturgeon has pledged to set out the circumstances under which she would sanction another referendum in the SNP's 2016 Holyrood manifesto.

Senior SNP politicians have suggested a vote to leave the EU against Scotland's will, a failure to meet their expectations of more powers, a vote to renew Trident, ongoing austerity and perhaps a decision to go to war in Syria as possible triggers.