Support for Scottish independence has taken the lead in the first independence poll since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, with 52% saying they would vote Yes when undecided voters are excluded.

The Find Out Now poll for The National puts Yes ahead on 52%, providing an early indication of opinion on Scotland’s constitutional future under the new UK Government.

The result follows comments from the Prime Minister that Scottish independence was “off limits”, a position now being challenged by the SNP following publication of the poll.

According to figures highlighted by the party, independence has led in seven of the last nine polls, while nearly 70% of independence polls conducted during 2026 have recorded a Yes lead.

SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP said:

“Andy Burnham told the Scottish people independence was “off limits”, but this poll is their resounding answer.

“Once again we see independence is the preferred choice of the Scottish people, Westminster does not work for Scotland and the largest number of pro-independence MSPs in our parliament reflects that sentiment is felt deeply across Scotland.

“There is no “off limits” when it comes to democracy and with pro-independence First Ministers in every corner of these islands, those words wear very thin.

“Our land is rich in resources, be that in our sea bed, in our wind or in our waters and we have the people to equip ourselves as one of the most successful countries in the world.

“Through a fresh start with independence we will secure that future and build a wealthier, European, Scotland anew.”

The latest result does not settle Scotland’s long running constitutional debate, and individual opinion polls inevitably provide only a snapshot of public sentiment at the time they are conducted.

It does, however, put the question of independence firmly back into the political conversation at the beginning of Andy Burnham’s premiership.

More significantly, the figures presented by the SNP suggest the latest result is not standing entirely on its own, with Yes having recorded leads in the majority of recent polls cited by the party.

That leaves a familiar political divide between a UK Government opposed to another referendum and an independence movement pointing to polling evidence that it believes demonstrates continuing public support for Scotland having another choice.

Whatever happens next, describing independence as “off limits” is unlikely to make the constitutional question disappear when polling continues to show Scotland so closely divided over its future.