BUSINESSES in Scotland are overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in the European Union and even more so than contemporaries in other parts of the UK a survey has shown.
Scottish Chambers of Commerce said 73.5 per cent of businesses in Scotland indicated they would vote to remain in the EU compared with 63 per cent across the UK.
With only 13.5 per cent of businesses in Scotland wanting to quit the EU, the results suggest the weight of sentiment in the country is clearly in favour of continued membership.
The survey indicates the vote could be much closer in other parts of the UK, across which firms are twice as likely to favour an exit.
The findings come fast on the heels of two other surveys that showed significantly greater support for EU membership in Scotland than in other parts of the UK.
They appear to reflect unease in sections of the business community about the possibly harmful effects of an EU exit on Scottish firms’ access to key markets on the continent.
“With Scottish businesses exporting over £12.9 billion of goods and services throughout the European Union, it is important that any change does not disrupt our ability to continue to trade and grow this market, creating wealth and jobs,” said Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
The organisation found around four out of ten respondents were concerned about the implications of an EU exit on their exports while a similar proportion voiced fears about the effect on imports.
Supporters of the union appear to be more convinced of their positions than opponents. Half of those who wanted to remain said their minds were made up compared with only 25 per cent of those planning to vote no.
However, noting that 45 per cent of all respondents were not fixed in their opinions, Scottish Chambers said the outcome of the prime minister’s negotiations on the UK’s position in the EU could have an important effect on the vote.
Ms Cameron appeared concerned that 70 per cent of respondents said they were completely unfamiliar with the content being proposed within the renegotiation package or know only a little about it.
She said: “The UK Government must up its game in terms of communicating with and listening to businesses on this vital issue. Business people have our own ideas on what should be among the priorities of the Prime Minister.”
Around sixty per cent of respondents said the most helpful reform for business would be a reduction in red tape. Forty three per cent wanted to see a change in the balance of power between Brussels and individual member countries. This could include enabling national parliaments to block new EU legislation.
Scottish Chambers found 90.5 per cent of large firms favoured remaining in the EU compared with 79.2 per cent of medium sized businesses and 71.8 per cent of small firms.
Some 12.5 per cent of respondents in Scotland were undecided compared with around 10 per cent in the UK.
A survey by banks and accountants published on Wednesday found only four per cent of Scottish manufacturers believed exiting the European Union would benefit the UK economy and business. Ten per cent of UK manufacturers held that view.
A survey published last week by the Federation of Small Businesses showed 59.9 per cent of members in Scotland would vote to remain in the EU, compared with 45.1 per cent in England.
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