Scots professionals launch campaign for clarity in Brexit debate

A campaign for clarity for the business community, amidst growing concerns from clients on the impact Brexit will have on their businesses, has been launched by Scottish members of the UK200Group, the association of independent chartered accountancy and legal firms.

The move comes ahead of a live streamed debate tomorrow from Coventry University London Campus. The debate will also mark the launch of the UK200Group’s referendum survey, which will continue to provide real-time analysis of the changing views of UK business leaders until the referendum on 23 June.

The UK200Group is a politically impartial organisation which supports more than 150,000 SMEs.

Peter Duff, an executive committee member of the UK200Group, and managing partner of Edinburgh and Glasgow solicitors Morisons, explained: “Our campaign aims to inform business leaders across the UK by clarifying the views of both sides, as we are facing questions from our clients daily. Rising uncertainty is already impacting on their businesses and the referendum isn’t until 23 June. That is unsettling at a time when recovery in the service sector and others remains delicate and business owners need as much information to hand as possible to plan for every eventuality.

“We’re particularly involved in Scotland’s food and drink sector, which has an export target of £7.1bn for this year, and it’s difficult to begin to imagine the impact the referendum will bring to this sector alone.”

Magnus Houston, managing director of Coast & Glen and FishboxX added, “No one has explained to me what impact leaving the European Union will have on my business. Will fishing quotas remain? Will export and import charges change? There is just so much uncertainty as to whether being in or out helps or hinders the fishing industry.”

The live streamed debate, which takes place from 4.30-6pm tomorrow (11 May), will be chaired by futurologist, broadcaster and author Dr James Bellini. Yvette Cooper MP will make the case for remaining in the EU along with Lucy Thomas, deputy director of Britain Stronger in Europe. David Davis MP will represent the case to leave the EU, along with Douglas Carswell MP.

The debate can be watched live on www.uk200group.co.uk, with Twitter updates on #UK200EUdebate