ALMOST 70 per cent of Scots want the NHS to be excluded from the controversial TTIP trade deal, according to a new survey.
Campaign group 38 Degrees found Scots are “leading the way” in opposition to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership deal proposed between the US and the EU.
Supporters of TTIP aim to reduce the regulatory barriers to trade faced by big business.
Much of the negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement are being conducted behind closed doors, prompting concerns over a lack of transparency on a deal which could affect public services, food laws, banking and environmental regulations and jobs.
Around 140,000 members of 38 Degrees from across the UK have signed an open letter calling on President Barack Obama to halt the process, fearing “irreversible privatisation” in the NHS.
Now a poll by the organisation found almost 70 per cent of Scottish voters oppose the inclusion of the NHS in the deal.
The level is much higher than the 44 per cent opposition recorded for the UK as a whole and the findings are released today as Obama and David Cameron fly to Germany for further talks on TTIP and other matters.
Stewart Kirkpatrick of 38 Degrees said: “In our thousands, 38 Degrees members across Scotland are making our voices heard.
“Our challenge to the candidates is this: show us that you’re on the side of Scottish people and tell us what concrete action you are going to take.”
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