Majority of over 50s back EVEL - survey
According to a Saga poll of over 50s from across the UK, ‘most want the Union to remain intact’ but support English Votes for English laws.
The issue of English votes for English laws has caused some division in parliament this week, as SNP MPs were criticised for threatening to vote against reform of hunting laws, a matter that would only affect English constituencies.
Building on this, on a new poll by Saga asked people aged 50 and over to give their views on Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom.
The UK-wide research found that a majority of people in that age group were against Scottish independence, despite the Scottish National Party decisive victory north of the border in May’s General Election.
According to the data, which surveyed 10,991 people, the subject of English Votes for English laws continues to divide the nation with three quarters (75%) of those questioned stating that they thought Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish MPs should be excluded from voting in Westminster on issues which have been devolved to their respective parliaments and assemblies.
Further, three in five or those living in Scotland (62%) agreed that this should apply and 58% of those living in Wales supported the principle.
70% of those asked would prefer Scotland to remain part of the UK, although the research also showed that support for independence was growing.
Amongst Scots aged 50 and over backing for independence is up 2% since Saga’s last poll in August 2014 - from 28% to 30%, while support among the English has increased from less than 10% in 2014 to 28% in May 2015.
The Welsh are the most against the break-up of the UK, with just 20% in support.
Asked about future public spending in Scotland 52% of Scots and just 15% of the English thought it should remain as it is at the moment – with the Barnett Formula guaranteeing higher spending per head in Scotland.
However, three-quarters of English (74%) and Welsh (76%) respondents thought that spending per head ought to be equalised, while this appealed to fewer than a third (27%) of Scots.
Saga’s director of communications Paul Green, said: “It appears that despite the increase in support for the Scottish National Party in the recent General Election most want the Union to remain intact but would also like to see fairness when it comes to funding and voting at Westminster.”
