The results of a consultation carried out across Scotland on the impact of Brexit has been published in a new report. Brexit: Unheard Voices brings together the views of 13 groups on preparing for the UK leaving the EU.
The Scottish Government’s £150,000 stakeholder engagement fund provided grants to help organisations which otherwise would not have had the resources to highlight their members’ concerns.
These included groups representing young people, EU citizens in Scotland, rural communities, voluntary organisations, the business community, and older people.
Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations Michael Russell said: “By taking us out of a market around eight times bigger than the UK alone, it is clear that Brexit in whatever form will cost jobs, make people poorer, damage our society and undermine the democratic decision of the people of Scotland to remain in the European Union.
“Scotland will not accept a Brexit which treats our Parliament with contempt and fails to represent the interests of our people. This report has been an important step in understanding all of the issues faced by all corners of Scottish society.
“We will continue to engage with people across Scotland, and take forward the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland which the First Minister announced in April.”
The report was presented to stakeholders at an event in Edinburgh last week, hosted by the EU Citizens’ Rights Project and the Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development, Ben Macpherson.
Among those who have welcomed the report is Uta Rosenbrock, 49, who owns a jewellery store in Edinburgh. She moved to Scotland 22 years ago from Aachen, Germany. She is married to a Scot and has a 20-year-old son Daniel.
She said: “I achieved Settled Status just a month ago, after a lot of uncertainty and sleepless nights.
“I run my own business and have lost suppliers due to Brexit and fears over extra import costs. I’ve been afraid to travel abroad to visit my suppliers, in case I had problems getting back into the UK.
“Personal fears have included worries over whether I can still use the NHS and if my mortgage will be affected. There’s so much uncertainty.
“My most productive years have been my 30s and 40s when I’ve built a life in Scotland. This is my home.”
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