Businesses ‘less confident’ as exit looms

Perthshire businesses are feeling less confident because of Brexit, according to the council.

The local authority in Perth and Kinross pointed to a survey showing 52% of local companies have become more concerned about their future following the UK vote to leave the EU.

Despite insisting the area “will be reasonably resilient” over the next five years, a council briefing on Brexit said: “Any change to the detriment of agriculture will directly affect retail and trade in the city and town centres as there will be less money circulating locally.”

Both Dundee and Angus councils pointed to a potential loss of income for local projects if funding from the Interreg project, part of the European Regional Development Fund, is cut off.

These include drives to bring creative technology to the area, drive young people into education and, in Fife, support small businesses in the maritime sector.

Fife Council is focused on supporting local people throughout the uncertainty of the negotiations.

Its briefing said: “While much of the activity so far has been based on the current and possible future economic consequences of Brexit, there is a wider societal impact that must be taken into consideration. The council in particular has a community leadership role to help chart a smooth path through the Brexit negotiations.”