Brexit's impact on Scotland questioned

Scotland’s tourism and Europe committee has demanded answers on how the troubled Brexit negotiations have impacted the country’s businesses and organisations.

The Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has launched a call for evidence, as part of its on-going scrutiny of the Article 50 negotiations.

As the UK Government continues to negotiate the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, the committee wants to know what impact these negotiations - and the uncertainty created - has had on Scotland.

In the call for evidence, the committee is asking what these negotiations have meant in practice and what further support or guidance is needed from the UK or Scottish Governments.

Joan McAlpine MSP, the committee convener, said: “With less than 200 days to until Brexit becomes a reality, how this will look is still not clear.

“Terms like Blind Brexit, no deal and the Chequers Plan have become an all too familiar part of the daily commentary.

“But what is behind the headlines, and what it is all too easy to forget is that Brexit – no matter how this looks – will have a very real impact on people, businesses and organisations throughout Scotland.

“Our committee wants to know what the impact of this uncertainty has been and how the how the negotiations around Article 50 have affected the day-to-day lives of Scottish people.

“We have started to see some guidance on the potential impact of Brexit being published by the UK Government and European Commission but we also want to hear about steps people, businesses and organisations in Scotland are taking to be ready for the outcome of the negotiations.

“And importantly, what further guidance is needed to ensure that Scotland can prepare for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.”