Highlands and Islands employers have voiced support for continuing free movement of workers across the European Union (EU) in a new survey.
The sentiment was strongest among tourism firms and larger companies in the area, according to the findings of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s (HIE) research.
In the wake of the Brexit vote, almost two-thirds of the region’s exporters questioned also highlighted the importance to their businesses of access to the single market.
Carroll Buxton, HIE’s director of regional development, said the feedback showed “uncertainties and concerns over what lies ahead,” but stressed the survey also revealed businesses across the the area were “performing well and optimistic about the future.”
Publishing the results of their latest quarterly business panel survey, HIE said while many of their 1,004 respondents did not see free movement of EU nationals and access to the single market as important to the operation of their business, there was “a clear cohort that do.”
The organisation added that 91% of non-UK EU nationals workers in the Highlands and Islands are in permanent staff roles, employed mainly by larger firms and in the tourism sector.
Among businesses with 25 or more employees, 57% stated free movement was important, while the figure was 55% for firms in the tourist trade.
Of exporting companies, 65% flagged the importance of access to the single market to them. More than a third of the firms taking part in the survey also reported an increase in export sales in the past six months.
Closer to home, a two-year decline in the Highlands and Islands business community’s confidence in Scotland’s economy continued, with two-fifth’s of firms questioned expressing pessimism on the issue.
But 82% reported good or steady performance in their own business in the past 12 months, with 89% anticipating growth or stability over the next two years.
Ms Buxton said: “The feedback that businesses across the region have been performing well and are optimistic about the future is good news.
“Clearly there are uncertainties and concerns over what lies ahead, but the evidence suggests continuing resilience in the business community. This will be linked to the diversity of small to medium sized companies and the strength of our growth sectors, such as tourism, food and drink and life sciences.
“We look forward to continuing our work in supporting these growth businesses and sectors and maintaining that resilience, which will be crucial as we move forward.
HIE say their survey findings “build understanding and track the potential implications of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union” for companies in the region.
They are shared with the Scottish Government and other agencies to keep them informed of the impact on the area’s business community.
