The SNP’s Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has welcomed the results of the TNS-BMRB (formerly TNS System 3) poll conducted for STV’s Politics Now programme which shows that the SNP would boost their number of seats at Holyrood to 57 – an increase of ten.

Ms Sturgeon said:

"This is a hugely encouraging poll for the SNP and shows that our popularity continues to grow among the people of Scotland two years into government.

"The SNP’s support has substantially increased since our victory at the Scottish Parliamentary election in May 2007 - on the constituency vote, we have increased from 33% to 39% and on the regional vote from 31% to 39%.

"The seat projection on the basis of this poll demonstrates the tremendous progress the SNP is making and satisfaction with our performance as the Scottish Government – we would increase our representation by ten seats to 57 MSPs, while Labour, the Tories and Liberals would all lose seats.

"The figures for the parliament itself are encouraging with 73% viewing its achievements favourably - an increase of 17% since the question was asked in September 2004. Those with a negative opinion has dropped from 36% to just 15%.

"The devolved parliament has made substantial gains and implemented a number of progressive policies, but an independent parliament with far greater responsibilities would be able to deliver much more for the people of Scotland.

"That is why the SNP Government will introduce a Referendum Bill on Independence next year and offer the people of Scotland a democratic vote to determine Scotland’s future."

The results of the poll are:

* Constituency result (with change from 2007 in bracket)

SNP: 39% (+6)

Labour: 32% (0)

Tory: 12% (-5)

LibDem: 11% (-5)

Other: 7% (+5)

* Regional result (with change from 2007 in bracket)

SNP: 39% (+8)

Labour: 29% (0)

Tory: 10% (-4)

LibDem: 12% (+1)

Green: 5% (+1)

Projected Number of Seats:

SNP: 57 (+10)

Labour: 43 (-3)

Tory: 11 (-6)

LibDem: 15 (-1)

Green: 3 (+2)

Q1 Since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 do you think it

has achieved a lot, a little or nothing at all?

A lot - 20%

A little - 53%

Nothing at all - 15%

Don’t know - 12%