Small firms split over European Union referendum vote

September 16, 2015•2 Minutes
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Small UK firms are split over whether to stay in the European Union or not, according to a survey of thousands of businesses.

A Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) report found that 47% of members would vote “yes” and stay in, and around 41% would vote to leave.

There were geographical differences – about 60% in Scotland would vote “yes”.

But a clear majority of firms felt they did not have access to unbiased information.

A slim majority of firms – 50.5% of FSB members – said the UK’s existing EU membership was good for the economy as a whole.

However, only 34.9% thought it was good for their individual businesses.

Business owner Herbert Eppel, who runs a technical translation business, was firmly in favour of the UK staying in the EU.

“Leaving would have a significant impact [on businesses],” he told the BBC. “It would lead to additional bureaucracy, time, cost, effort and hassle. Everything is working pretty smoothly at the moment.”

He added that withdrawal would affect firms that directly import and export goods to the EU, and also peripheral UK businesses that rely on those firms.

But Kelly Morris of Balgonie Castle Enterprises, an events firm, said business would be easier if the UK voted to leave.

“We see the hindrance of EU regulations… the red tape and bureaucracy,” she said. “Now they’re talking about having to have low-powered vacuum cleaners. That’s ridiculous.”

She added that the UK does not seem to get “value for money” from its contribution to the EU budget.

Less than half of firms said they felt they had a full grasp about the possible effects on business and the UK economy of a Brexit, and said there was “a need for clear unbiased information” from the media.

There were fairly large geographical variations in opinion on which would be the best way to vote. Almost 60% of firms in Scotland would vote “yes”, and firms in Wales and Northern Ireland were also more likely to agree that there is a benefit from EU membership than those in England.

Source-BBC