25 July 2014
As the independence debate has intensified over the past few months, the people of Scotland have been asking what such a historic choice might mean for them, their families and work.
The questions that those running small businesses have and their views are particularly important given that they make up almost 99% of all businesses in Scotland. Yet, many of the questions and views of those running small businesses have been competing with the noise of the wider economic and political independence debate.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the University of Edinburgh Business School have come together to investigate these views and questions and, where possible, to provide some answers.
The survey of almost 1800 small businesses was designed to provide objective, politically neutral information for FSB members. The survey was conducted between April and May 2014 by Professor Brad Mackay and Sarah Birrell Ivory. As far as the researchers are aware, this is the largest poll of business conducted so far.
The report aims to provide the most relevant information available on the issues small businesses highlighted as most important. The survey was designed to provide objective, politically neutral information for FSB members. However, with the outcome of so many issues subject to future negotiations – what currency would be used, membership of the EU etc. – it has proved impossible to give definite answers to many questions.