• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Friday September 12 2014

Survey asks: how would Scottish independence effect businesses in the West?

How would potential Scottish independence effect businesses in the West? With the referendum less than a week away, Business West is gauging opinions with its latest Local Business Survey.

The survey poses three questions:

• How do you think the UK would fare without Scotland?
• Is the uncertainty surrounding Scotland’s future impacting your business?
• If a Yes vote occurred, how would Scottish independence affect your trade?

Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, said: “The big question is how independence would impact both Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“If Scotland was to become independent the UK would lose 32 percent of its land, eight percent of its population, and approximately £106.3 billion of its Gross Value Added.

“The independence campaign’s stance is that a Yes vote would allow Scotland to shape its own policies to address the country’s circumstances, ensuring economic security in the long term.

“However the Better Together Campaign argues that an independent Scotland would require a significant cut in public spending or an increase in taxes to achieve this.”

Business leaders will also be quizzed about the performance of their business and their confidence in future trading conditions.

The results of the Local Business Survey feeds into the British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic survey, which is a highly respected snapshot of economic conditions for business.

To take the survey, log on to http://www.businesswest.co.uk