Brexit impact is under spotlight at committee

A SPECIAL committee session to take evidence on Scotland’s future following the vote to leave the European Union is taking place today.

Academics, business and union leaders will spell out their views to the Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee.

The meeting has been convened during the Par- liament’s summer recess to gather opinion on the impact of the vote as the Scottish Government looks to find ways for Scotland to remain inside the EU.

The committee will hear from economic experts from the Fraser of Allander Institute and Scottish Enterprise as well as leaders from the STUC, the Federation of Small Business and union and trade bodies, including the Scotch Whisky Association and farming and fishing unions and representatives from Scotland’s universities.

Joan McAlpine, committee convenor, said the purpose was to understand the implications from a cross section of business organisations.

She said: “We want to know what leaving the EU means to people in Scotland, particularly people in business.

“We know already from speaking to the British Chamber of Commerce in Brussels that access to the single market is of paramount importance to most companies.

“We experienced a lot of goodwill and understanding of Scotland’s situation when we visited Brussels.

“No country has left the EU before and the process for leaving is far from straightforward.

“So it’s important that our committee provides a forum for people in Scotland to get involved in this difficult process.”