Support for Scottish independence has fallen below the 45 per cent achieved in the 2014 referendum, a new poll has found.

The YouGov poll for The Times newspaper found backing for a Yes vote in a second ballot on the country’s constitutional future stands at 44 per cent, with No on 56 per cent.

It comes as the Scottish National Party concludes its national survey, which aimed to speak to two million voters about their views on Europe, Brexit and independence.

Valuable data gathered during the exercise could be used by the party if First Minister Nicola Sturgeon decides to call another referendum on leaving the UK.

She has said the option remains on the table should the UK's Brexit deal fail to protect Scotland's interests in Europe.

Ms Sturgeon is considering arrangements that could allow Scotland to remain in the European single market, and is expected to publish options in the next few weeks.

The YouGov poll also reveals that only 31 per cent of Scots want the Scottish Government to campaign for independence in the next two years. A further 56 per cent think it should not, while the rest do not know.

Respondents were asked about whether they think it would be “realistically possible” for Scotland to remain part of the EU after the rest of the UK leaves, regardless of their support for such a move.

Only 22 per cent said they thought this would be “probably possible”, with 62 per cent saying “probably not possible” and 16 per cent said they did not know.

YouGov polled 1,134 people from 24-29 November.