General election: 'Referendum effect' means Scots most likely to vote

62 per cent of Scots are at least 'fairly interested' in politics

72 per cent of Scots say they would definitely vote in a general election, according to the survey (Getty Images)

People in Scotland are far more likely to vote in May’s general election than those living elsewhere in the UK, a new report has suggested.

Last year’s independence referendum has energised political engagement, with 72 per cent of Scots saying they would definitely vote in a general election, compared with a national average of 49 per cent, according to the 2015 Audit of Political Engagement.

The annual report, published today by the Hansard Society, also shows that 62 per cent of Scots are at least fairly interested in politics. This compares to just 49 per cent for the rest of the UK.

The same report last year, before the referendum, found 62 per cent of Scots planned to vote in the general election.

“The independence referendum in Scotland appears to have delivered a political engagement bonus,” said Dr Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society. “Beyond Scotland, it does not bode well that the public’s willingness to vote, even if they feel strongly about an issue, has declined,” she added.