Scots ‘most pessimistic’ about economy due to anxiety over Brexit

People in Scotland are more pessimistic about the economy than any other part of the UK, mainly due to anxiety over Brexit, research suggests.

The study found that almost three-fifths of Scots (58 per cent ) think the UK economy will get worse over the next year. Picture: PA

The study for financial services company Just Group found that almost three-fifths of Scots (58 per cent ) think the UK economy will get worse over the next year, compared to 40 per cent in London.

Of those who think their own financial situation is likely to worsen, 77 per cent of Scots blamed Brexit, compared to 55 per cent of people in London.

Just a quarter of those in Scotland (24 per cent) said they think their own financial situation will improve over the next 12 months, compared to 40 per cent of Londoners.

The study found that almost three-fifths of Scots (58 per cent ) think the UK economy will get worse over the next year. Picture: PA

Almost half of those questioned north of the border (47 per cent) said they expect the property market to deteriorate over the next year.

Stephen Lowe, communications director at Just Group, said: “It’s clear that Brexit, and the uncertainty surrounding it, is having a profound effect on people’s sense of financial security.

“Unsurprisingly there are marked regional variations, with those in Scotland telling us they feel more vulnerable to the fallout from Brexit than any other region in the UK.”

He added: “Being prudent with money today to have a little more in the future is a good idea regardless of how the economy performs - so the cautious outlook expressed by people in Scotland could work to their advantage.”

Opinium Research surveyed 4,000 UK adults between January 17 and 24. Of those, 338 adults were in Scotland and 524 were in London.