Nicola Sturgeon’s party is heading for seven fewer seats than in 2016, while the Greens could make one gain

Nicola Sturgeon faces falling just short of the “independence majority” the SNP and Greens need to hold another referendum after the 2021 Holyrood election, according to a new poll.

The Panelbase survey of 1,021 Scots for The Sunday Times indicates that the SNP could win 56 seats, seven fewer than in the 2016 Scottish parliament election.

The Greens are set to make one gain, taking their number to seven, but this would still leave the independence- backing parties two seats short of a majority for a fresh referendum.

It comes after a mixed response from economists, the business community, politicians and the public to the economic vision put forward by the SNP’s Growth Commission to try to boost the case for a future “yes” vote.