The results show how dramatically these decisions have been embraced by Scotland’s voters, with all recording at least 63% support. Most popular is the free bus pass for over-60s and disabled people, backed by 88% of respondents. Free prescriptions are a close second on 82%.

Each policy won more support than opposition among the voters of every one of Scotland’s five main parties, as well as from both Yes and No voters.

These findings show more clearly than ever that Scotland is becoming an ever more distinctive political culture. They also show that, where Holyrood takes a different approach to Westminster, the public is readily willing to support it. Indeed, voters in Scotland may have even come to accept and expect policies that were often controversial in their early years.

This is important research for supporters of Scottish independence. The bedding in of these changes provides proof that taking decisions in Scotland for Scotland can be warmly received by the public. They even provide a rare point of political agreement between Yes and No voters.

But they could also reassure those cautious of what more might be achieved if Scotland had powers over all the areas that countries normally do. There are so many areas where Scotland has not had the autonomy to take decisions like these, independent of Westminster control. As just one example, what could have been achieved on employment rights in Scotland over the last twenty-five years, had the Scottish Parliament been in control of them?

Many proponents of independence believe a successful Scottish Parliament is one of the strongest arguments for the country taking the next step. This research shows that, in at least some of its highest profile political positions, the Scottish Parliament is seen to have been very successful indeed.

To what extent do you support or oppose the following policies in Scotland?

Free Prescriptions
NET Support: 82%
Neither support nor oppose: 9%
NET Oppose: 8%
Don't Know: 1%

The Scottish Child Payment for low-income families of £26 70 per child per week
NET Support: 65%
Neither support nor oppose: 19%
NET Oppose: 11%
Don't Know: 5%

Running ScotRail as a public company
NET Support: 63%
Neither support nor oppose: 20%
NET Oppose: 11%
Don't Know: 6%

Free university education
NET Support: 73%
Neither support nor oppose: 15%
NET Oppose: 11%
Don't Know: 2%

Free bus pass for over 60s and disabled people
NET Support: 88%
Neither support nor oppose: 8%
NET Oppose: 4%
Don't Know: 1%

Entitlement to 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare
NET Support: 71%
Neither support nor oppose: 16%
NET Oppose: 8%
Don't Know: 4%

Business rates discounts for 98,000 small businesses
NET Support: 69%
Neither support nor oppose: 20%
NET Oppose: 3%
Don't Know: 7%

Generating 100% of electricity demand from renewable energy
NET Support: 71%
Neither support nor oppose: 14%
NET Oppose: 12%
Don't Know: 3%

BASE: All Respondents, Unweighted Total 3016

Conducted by Survation on behalf of Progress Scotland
Methodology: Online interviews of Scots aged 16+
Fieldwork: 1st–15thNovember 2024
Sample size: 3016