Business worries

This week has seen letters from more than 300 business people arguing about whether independence is good or bad for the Scottish economy. More worryingly, we can already see the first signs of firms pulling back from
investing and hiring.

Scottish business confidence has now dropped below the UK average. The latest UK business confidence monitor, published by the accountancy firm Grant Thornton and membership
organisation ICAEW, reported a score of +15 for companies based north of the Border, well below the UK average of +32.

Three months ago the monitor had stood at around 35 on both sides of the Border.

The independence debate is damaging the Scottish 
economy. A resounding No vote on 18 September is needed to
restore some stability and so confidence.

Phil Wheeler

Templeland Road

Edinburgh