Three-quarters of north-east business leaders want the UK to stay in the European Union, a poll by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) has found.
Only 15% said they would vote to quit the EU in next month’s in-out referendum, compared with the 37% UK average revealed in a wider survey by the British Chambers of Commerce.
The 75% of north-east business leaders now backing continued EU membership is substantially higher than the UK average of 54%, reinforcing the possibility of a north-south divide in the outcome of the vote on June 23.
AGCC’s latest figures are consistent with surveys carried out in February 2016 and September 2015, despite a seven point rise in UK-wide support for a Brexit in just three months.
Russell Borthwick, AGCC chief executive, said: “The contrast with the UK results is perhaps due to the global nature of the trade which drives our economy, although it is concerning that some members are now reporting a negative impact on their costs.”
There were 81 survey responses from the AGCC area out of a total of 2,231 across the UK.
More than four out of every five north-east business leaders (86%) said next month’s referendum was having no material impact on orders, sales, recruitment, attraction of investment or total business costs.
This has decreased since February, when 92% said it was having no impact, although 12% are still suffering a “slightly negative” impact on their total costs.
The greatest change between surveys is the proportion of north-east business leaders who are unsure of the impact of a vote to leave.
About one-fifth are now uncertain how a Brexit will affect their overall growth strategy and profits, compared with 11% and 16% respectively in February.
Across Scotland, 68.3% of businesspeople who took part in the latest survey said they would vote to stay in the EU – down from 69.4% in February – and 22.9% wanted to leave, down from 69.4% previously.
The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) announced yesterday it was supporting the UK staying in.
SCDI chief executive Ross Martin added: “Having listened carefully to the views of our members, we believe that Scotland’s economy is best served by the UK’s continued membership of the EU.
“Some 45% of Scotland’s exports and 336,000 jobs depend on trade with EU countries and many of Scotland’s cities and regions, and businesses and educational institutions have deep links with counterparts across the EU.”
According to law firm Pinsent Masons, only one in four businesses across Europe’s three largest economies – the UK, France and Germany – has developed a clear plan for dealing with the impact of a Brexit.
Guy Lougher, a partner and head of the Brexit advisory team at Pinsent, said: “If the UK vote is in favour of leaving the EU, there will be profound implications for all businesses irrespective of whether they operate or trade in – or with – the UK.”
