Sixty two percent of HLB UK clients believe that the UK government is handing Brexit negotiations badly, with 46% expecting that their businesses will be financially worse off, according to a survey.
Four HLB International firms in the UK invited their clients to participate in the survey; French Duncan LLP (Scotland), Lovewell Blake (East England), Hazelwoods (South West England) and Menzies (London and South East England). The Scottish respondents overall held a stronger anti-Brexit view than the rest of the UK.
More than half of respondents (59%) believe the UK economy will decline in the next decade. The majority (60%) believe prime minister Theresa May lacks a strong leadership.
Regarding the Brexit Divorce Bill answers varied on how much the UK should be prepared to pay; up to £20bn (14%), up to £40bn (22%), up to £60bn (10%) and over that (5%), while 31% did not know and 18% believing nothing should be paid.
According to 47% of all respondents, the European Union’s behaviour in the negotiations is unfair, opposed by 47% of Scottish respondents who believe the EU to be acting fairly. Yet of all the UK respondents 64% prefer to remain in Customs Union and Single Market rather than leave the EU entirely.
Half of all respondents believe there should be a second Brexit referendum, but 46% disagree, representing a further split of opinions over Brexit.