A new poll suggests Scots are still opposed to independence despite the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

The latest YouGov poll found that if an independence referendum were held tomorrow Scots would vote 53% to 47% in favour of remaining in the UK despite the decision to leave Europe on June 23.

Including undecideds and those who said they would not vote, the breakdown was 40% Yes to 45% No.

However, when the don’t knows and undecideds were taken out, the poll also suggested a slight increase in support for independence compared to the sample taken before the Brexit vote.

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The poll of 1006 Scottish adults, which was carried out between July 20-25, showed a 1% increase in support for Scotland becoming an independent country – up from 46% to 47% – from those sampled between May 2-4.

The number of respondents who said they would not vote or did not know also increased from 12% to 14% in the wake of the Brexit vote.

From the weighted sample of those polled, 506 voted No and 414 voted Yes in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

SNP business convener Derek Mackay MSP said: “This poll is the latest to demonstrate that many No voters are reconsidering their opposition to independence now that Scotland faces being dragged out of the EU against our will.

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“In light of the overwhelming vote to remain in the EU, it is right that the Scottish Government explores every option to protect our relationship with and place in the EU – including the option of another independence referendum if that is what it takes.

“The UK that Scotland voted to remain part of in 2014 is changing fundamentally. The complete lack of planning by the UK Government for this referendum outcome has created tremendous uncertainty for business, for investors, for EU citizens living in the UK and for our public services and there are growing concerns over the plans of an increasingly right wing UK government.

“In that context, it is little wonder that more and more people are seeing independence as the option that offers the greatest certainty and stability.”

The latest figures come on the back of another poll which showed a third of Scots want to wait until a deal on Brexit is reached before making a decision on whether to hold another independence referendum.

The Scottish Conservatives’ chief whip, John Lamont, responded to YouGov’s latest findings.

He said: “Having voted less than two years ago, the people of Scotland don’t want to go through the division and upheaval of another referendum on independence.

“You don’t recover from the economic impact of leaving one union by severing ties with a greater union whose value in trade eclipses it many times over.

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“Instead of trying to find more weak excuses for having another vote, the SNP should be concentrating on making the best of this situation.

“By working with the UK Government the SNP can help get a deal from the EU that reflects the needs of all of us, including protecting our trade with the European Union which will boost our economy, sustain jobs and help to fund vital public services.”