MSPs seek input on economic impact of Brexit

18th October 2016 | europe

A Holyrood committee is calling for views from Scottish businesses and workers on the economic impact of the UK leaving the European Union.

The Economy, Jobs & Fair Work Committee is investigating the impact of the decision to leave on exports, inward investment, and labour and employment rights. It will also examine ways to mitigate the immediate impact and seize any opportunities.

Its recommendations on the economic impact of leaving the EU will be published in letters to the UK and Scottish Government in early 2017.

Individuals and organisations are invited to provide submissions on, among other issues:

  • potential impacts on Scotland’s growth sectors of leaving the EU;
  • growth markets outside the EU for Scottish business;
  • barriers to growing exports in these developing markets;
  • the biggest sources of foreign investment, and the likely biggest sources in the coming years;
  • the biggest foreign investment opportunities in Scotland;
  • views of existing foreign investors on the impacts of Brexit, incliding the importance of access to the single market;
  • tools to encourage foreign investment and whether they could be enhanced post-Brexit;
  • sectors and regions employing the highest number of non-UK EU nationals, and the impact of restrictions on free movement of labour;
  • whether UK employment law will be impacted by Brexit.

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst MSP said: “We want to meet with Scottish businesses and workers based across the country, and hear and understand their hopes and concerns.

"The committee will take these views and work to influence the negotiations between the Governments of the UK and Scotland and the European Union in the years to come.”

He added: "The committee wants to engage with businesses and workers based in Scotland to understand what they need to maximise the opportunities to go out and sell brand Scotland, while minimising the potential effects that leaving the EU could bring. We look forward to hearing their views.”

Click here for further information. The committee will look at any relevant written evidence on these issues already sent to the Culture, Tourism, Europe & External Relations Committee. It would welcome input from others, preferably by 21 November.