BUSINESS leaders in Scotland are concerned about leaving the EU, according to a major new report, which also said they have a lower level of preparation for it.

More than 200 senior business figures who were interviewed for the study were asked to rate their concern over Brexit from zero to 100, where the lower figure indicated no concern. The mean score was 68. When asked to rate their level of preparation, the score was 43.

The Brexit and Scottish Business report, published today, was compiled by consultancy firm Momentous Change, established by former SNP MPs Michelle Thomson and Roger Mullin.

It found the sector expressing most concern about Brexit was further and higher education, with a score of 84, followed by life sciences (74) and financial and business services (72).

Higher and further education also came top for preparation levels at 53, followed by financial and business services (49) and food and drink (47).

Asked who they had consulted about their business preparations for leaving the EU, more than a third (41 per cent) said nobody, 33 per cent had spoken to government agencies, and the same percentage were consulting with business groups. A further 24 per cent had talked to academics and 10 per cent had consulted their banks.

The report found the top three priorities for respondents were access to labour, followed by market confidence and then regulatory issues.

The study was carried out through interviews with 236 senior business figures and an online questionnaire.

When asked what they believed was most important to their business interests, 75 per cent wanted to maintain as close an access as possible to the single market.

This was followed by maintaining free movement of labour at 72 per cent, with only eight per cent looking for stricter controls on immigration.

As The National reported yesterday, Thomson and Mullin recommended that the Scottish Government give money to small businesses to help them prepare for Brexit.

And they want the UK Government to provide extra cash to the devolved administrations for preparations to leave the EU.

Mullin said Holyrood should follow a Northern Irish scheme where eligible businesses receive a £2000 voucher for Brexit preparations.

He said: “Our recommendation is that the Scottish Government provides financial assistance to support businesses to plan for Brexit. Many small businesses cite a lack of clarity as an impediment and as a result remain underprepared. Because of this, the government in Ireland set up a proactive scheme that offers support to small business from specialist firms with the relevant expertise. We should do the same in Scotland.”

The duo said they had worked hard to engage with business figures who regarded themselves as strong supporters of Brexit “due to the perception that business was more inclined towards being in favour of remaining in the EU”.

However, they added: “Despite this, we have found it hard to obtain any detailed definition of what specific opportunities those who voted to leave saw for their business.

“They often spoke in general terms but when questioned some even went as far as to concede that Brexit could harm their business, but that they remained committed to it regardless.

“In other words, supporters of Leave and of Remain have wider considerations than simply their immediate business interests when deciding on such major con- stitutional questions.”

The report adds that some business leaders believed the UK could become a rule-taker to continue trading with the EU and the removal of some regulation may be more complex than originally thought. There also appeared to be some confusion over what obstacles to trade “actually exist as a result of being in the EU”. More trade with China was cited by some respondents, yet there was no “insurmountable barrier” to increasing such trade as part of the EU or staying in the single market and customs union.

Mullin added: “Overall, the Scottish business sector faces a wide range of challenges. These include a major challenge in accessing the labour and skills it needs, a potential problem in accessing investment funds and, of course, for exporting companies, preparing for the possibility of facing tariff barriers.

“We would argue this means more preparation and planning is needed, and there is a role for the Scottish Government in encouraging and supporting such preparations.

“Our study raises significant questions about how best to support business in Scotland. While the politics of Brexit need addressing, it cannot be at the expense of neglecting to develop the appropriate policy responses for the new context we face.

“A few of our respondents welcomed our research but wondered why more of this type of study had not been undertaken earlier.

“They fear we are vastly under- prepared for the future, and we share that concern.”