Brexit: unheard voices - views from stakeholders across Scotland on leaving the EU

Key findings from the organisations

Across Scotland people have told us that:

• They are deeply worried about losing the right to live, work and study where they want across Europe; 
• They are concerned about being able to access food and medicines when needed after leaving the EU;
• They worry about their ability to continue living in safe, strong and inclusive communities;
• Organisations operating in Scotland are losing out on vital funding for research, infrastructure and business contracts;
• Many organisations are deeply concerned about the ability to attract and especially retain workers with the right skills in every industry;
• European Citizens from outside the UK are already feeling vulnerable, but voiced a stronger feeling of being welcome in Scotland, noting the First Minster’s reassuring words after the referendum; 
• Rural areas are in particular concerned about losing people and Brexit being the final straw on already fragile and vulnerable communities;
• Children and young people will have to live with the consequences for longer than other age groups and feel a strong sense of loss in relation to the opportunities that they were expecting to enjoy. Young people want to protect environmental, health and work place standards; and 
• Older people raised the prospect of pensions and savings being affected, but there were also broader fears that austerity may
  be intensified leading to those with less opportunities being affected most. 

Conclusion

• The fund has successfully enabled organisations and community groups to look deeper into the impact of Brexit on them. It has helped the Scottish Government to understand what gaps need to be addressed in helping organisations and community groups to better prepare for Brexit;
• This process has also highlighted the stark truth of the negative impact that Scotland as a whole faces due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and Brexit itself. No amount of preparation will make this go away; and
• The Scottish Government continues to prepare for all exit possibilities, and is strongly committed to safeguarding as far as we are able to do so, the interests of businesses, communities and individuals, including EU nationals in Scotland.