The number of Britons who want the UK to leave the EU has jumped since 2015, a poll shows.

The annual British Social Attitudes survey revealed that rising numbers of respondents are now firmly convinced by the case for departure.

The study said 36 per cent of interviewees wanted to leave the EU, up from 22 per cent in 2015. The proportion who wanted no change fell to 19 per cent, down from 27 per cent.

The number of Britons who want the UK to leave the EU has jumped since the referendum two years ago, a poll shows

Only 7 per cent – fewer than one in 14 – wanted to increase the powers of Brussels or move toward a European government, the report said.

'Voters in Britain have so far emerged from the Brexit process more critical of Britain's membership of the EU,' the researchers said.

Those whose perceptions, sense of identity and values already predisposed them in 2015 to take a sceptical view of the EU have particularly come to the view that the UK should leave.'

The annual British Social Attitudes survey revealed that rising numbers of respondents are now firmly convinced by the case for departure

The survey involved interviews with nearly 4,000 adults and is funded by Whitehall departments, charities and other groups.

It was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research.

It said voters were proving relatively resistant to attempts to change their minds about what the consequences of leaving the EU would be.