Business confidence in Scotland is among the lowest in the UK, a new survey has found.
The Bank of Scotland (BoS) Business In Britain report, which looks at expected sales, orders and profits over the next six months, fell two points to 17% in Scotland from 19% in July.
Only Yorkshire and the Humber ranked lower for business confidence at 15%, while the north-east of England came top at 38% and the UK-wide average was 24%.
A total of 1,516 UK firms responded to the study, which weighs up the percentage of firms positive in outlook against the negative.
It follows a Federation of Small Businesses report last week which found Scottish business confidence at a “near record low”.
BoS found economic uncertainty was the single greatest risk to Scottish businesses, with 27% concerned, up from 22% six months ago. The proportion of Scottish firms confident about business prospects in the Brexit talks fell to 38% from 49%, while those who lacked confidence in this regard rose 10 points to 35%.
BoS regional director Jane Clark-Hutchison said: “It’s disappointing to see Scottish businesses towards the bottom of the confidence index but perhaps not unsurprising given the backdrop of economic uncertainty.”
The share of Scottish firms expecting stronger exports was plus 17% and the net balance looking to grow investment stable at 2%.
