Welfare reforms and austerity increase likelihood of second Scottish independence vote, says leading historian

The Government’s welfare reforms and continued commitment to austerity are increasing the likelihood of a second referendum on Scottish independence, the country’s leading historian has said. In an essay for The Independent on the future of the Union, Professor Sir Tom Devine said independence was becoming an increasingly “realistic and attractive” option for many Scots, a number of whom believe that the welfare changes driven through by Iain Duncan Smith are harming &ldq