As the Scottish Parliament returns from recess and attention begins to focus on next year’s Holyrood election, a new Ipsos MORI poll for STV News shows the SNP continuing to dominate.

Among those certain to vote, and who tend to vote in Scottish Parliament elections, 55 per cent would cast their constituency vote for the SNP in an immediate Holyrood election (up two points from January 2015), while 20 per cent would vote for Scottish Labour (down four points).

Support for the Scottish Conservatives is up by one point to 12 per cent while the Scottish Liberal Democrats are at seven per cent (up two points).

There are similar results for the party list vote, with 50 per cent backing the SNP, 20 per cent Scottish Labour and 12 per cent supporting the Scottish Conservatives. The Scottish Greens record eight per cent, just ahead of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on seven per cent.

There is further good news for the SNP from the poll in relation to the public’s views on the core devolved policy areas and satisfaction with the performance of different party leaders.

On Healthcare and the NHS, around half (48 per cent) of Scots think the SNP has the best policies for Scotland, compared to 18 per cent who prefer Labour’s policies.

Similarly, for education (49 per cent v 16 per cent) and crime/ anti-social behaviour (40 per cent v 14 per cent), the SNP holds the advantage. On environmental issues the Greens are in front with 36 per cent saying they have the best policy compared to 28 per cent for the SNP and nine per cent for Labour.

In line with previous polls, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon continues to be Scotland’s most popular party leader with 71 per cent saying they are satisfied with her performance with just 23 per cent dissatisfied. New Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale records a rating of 32 per cent satisfied compared to 31 per cent dissatisfied.

Additionally it looks unlikely that Kezia Dugdale, or Jeremy Corbyn - if elected as UK Labour leader - will give the party a significant early bounce in opinion before the May election.

Some 20 per cent of Scots say they are more likely to vote Labour next year as a result of Ms Dugdale’s election while 23 per cent are less likely. If Mr Corbyn is elected 23 per cent say they are more likely to vote Labour compared to 34 per cent who would be less likely.

On a second independence referendum, 50 per cent support another vote happening in the next five years, rising to 58 per cent within the next 10 years.

And support for a ‘Yes’ vote has exceeded 50 per cent for the first time since last year’s vote, with 53 per cent saying they would vote ‘Yes’, 44 per cent ‘No’ and three per cent undecided.

Mark Diffley, director at Ipsos MORI Scotland said: “This poll represents excellent news for the SNP, both in terms of support ahead of next year’s Holyrood vote and because support for independence has moved over 50 per cent for the first time.

"The poll highlights the significant challenges facing new Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale; Labour is far behind the SNP on the key battleground policies for next year and there is no sign yet that they are making up any ground. As the election gets closer she will hope to see Labour gain ground on policies and on public support.”