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Welsh firmly back Britain's Union Welsh firmly back Britain's Union
(20 minutes later)
There is strong support for Wales remaining part of Great Britain, according to a survey for the BBC.There is strong support for Wales remaining part of Great Britain, according to a survey for the BBC.
Nearly 70% of people in Wales said they wanted to keep the Union as it is with 20% being in favour of independence.Nearly 70% of people in Wales said they wanted to keep the Union as it is with 20% being in favour of independence.
The BBC Wales/Newsnight poll found 48% thought Wales would lose financially by splitting from England and Scotland whilst 14% believed it would benefit.The BBC Wales/Newsnight poll found 48% thought Wales would lose financially by splitting from England and Scotland whilst 14% believed it would benefit.
The telephone survey marks the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union which brought the three countries together.The telephone survey marks the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union which brought the three countries together.
But 33% of respondents believed Wales' culture would be enhanced by a split, 13% thought it would be diminished.But 33% of respondents believed Wales' culture would be enhanced by a split, 13% thought it would be diminished.
KEY WALES POLL FINDINGS 68% support the Union20% want independence48% think independence would damage Wales financially14% think independence would benefit Wales financiallySource: ORB telephone survey for BBC Wales/NewsnightKEY WALES POLL FINDINGS 68% support the Union20% want independence48% think independence would damage Wales financially14% think independence would benefit Wales financiallySource: ORB telephone survey for BBC Wales/Newsnight
Support for the Union was strongest in England, where 74% of those surveyed wanted to keep it.Support for the Union was strongest in England, where 74% of those surveyed wanted to keep it.
It was weakest in Scotland but 56% of Scots still wanted to remain British, with 32% wanting independence.It was weakest in Scotland but 56% of Scots still wanted to remain British, with 32% wanting independence.
The 20% in favour in favour of independence in Wales is higher than in similar previous surveys, which have tended to hover around the 10 to 15% mark.The 20% in favour in favour of independence in Wales is higher than in similar previous surveys, which have tended to hover around the 10 to 15% mark.
A good majority throughout Britain thought Wales, England and Scotland would remain together for at least another 50 years.A good majority throughout Britain thought Wales, England and Scotland would remain together for at least another 50 years.
Fifthy seven per cent of people in Wales believed this to be the case.Fifthy seven per cent of people in Wales believed this to be the case.
There was also considerable support throughout Britain for the creation of an English parliament, now that Wales and Scotland have devolution.There was also considerable support throughout Britain for the creation of an English parliament, now that Wales and Scotland have devolution.
Sixty per cent of those surveyed in England wanted their own parliament, 52% of Scots and 48% of people in Wales wanted devolution for England.Sixty per cent of those surveyed in England wanted their own parliament, 52% of Scots and 48% of people in Wales wanted devolution for England.
Wales was united with England in the 16th Century but the full Union was completed 300 years ago when Scotland signed an Act of Union.Wales was united with England in the 16th Century but the full Union was completed 300 years ago when Scotland signed an Act of Union.
Damage READ THE FINDINGS href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/16_01_07_union.pdf" class="">Newsnight Act of Union poll [128KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
The study follows claims by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain that the UK could be broken up by a coalition of Tories and nationalists.The study follows claims by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain that the UK could be broken up by a coalition of Tories and nationalists.
Mr Hain said Plaid Cymru would damage Wales economically by pursuing independence while the Conservatives would harm the Union by cutting the role of Welsh MPs.Mr Hain said Plaid Cymru would damage Wales economically by pursuing independence while the Conservatives would harm the Union by cutting the role of Welsh MPs.
Plaid and the Conservatives have accused Mr Hain of trying to scare people into voting Labour in May's Welsh assembly election.Plaid and the Conservatives have accused Mr Hain of trying to scare people into voting Labour in May's Welsh assembly election.
The telephone poll was carried out by Opinion Research Business for BBC Newsnight between 5-8 January.The telephone poll was carried out by Opinion Research Business for BBC Newsnight between 5-8 January.
They surveyed 527 of adults in Wales, 883 in England and 543 in Scotland.They surveyed 527 of adults in Wales, 883 in England and 543 in Scotland.