27/08/2014 Scotland Decides

Tonight, senior business leaders say the case for independence

They argue "uncertainty is bad for business".

Yes supporters say the facts and figures back independence.

In all a native by news that 130 Scottish businesses have come out

against independence. Setting sail to Shetland `

we're on the campaign trail with the Deputy First Minister

as she targets floating voters. 130 Scottish business leaders have

come out against independence, claiming the business case has not

been made by the Yes Campaign. Responding, the lobby group Business

for Scotland said economic "facts and figures" support

Scottish independence. Here's our Scotland business

correspondent David Henderson. They don't back independence and

they have spoken out now. The bosses of some of the country's best`known

brands, like famous Grouse, spelt out today why they would vote no,

thanks. They say the business case has not been made. What currency do

trading? That is a fundamental question for business. As we look at

the options, which of route is adopted by an independent Scotland,

there will be additional costs for Scottish business. In an open

letter, the business figures point to uncertainty about regulation, tax

and pensions. They say uncertainty is bad for business. Different firms

have different priorities. The people who signed this letter are

looking to trade across the border with the rest of the UK. Other firms

have different customers and they may take a different view about the

prospect of Scottish independence. Campaigners on both sides of the

debate have been reaching out to Scottish firms. Some business

leaders here say a yes vote would give a boost to Scotland's trade

overseas and grow markets at home as well. I don't think there is any

greater risk with independence. I think it is the opposite, a huge

opportunity. Scottish businesses can promote Scotland around the world.

With the campaign is heating up and the referendum weeks away this may

not be the last intervention of its kind as voters and firms weigh up

potential risks and rewards. Well, let's discuss the business

case for and against independence. I'm joined here in the studio

by the former head of Scottish Financial Enterprise, Amanda Harvie,

who was one of the organisers And also here is Ian McDougall,

who's managing director of the Glasgow accountancy firm

McDougall Johnstone. He's a member

of the independence campaign group You say the business case for

independence has not been made. You think are the questions which have

not been answered? We are clear by looking at both sides of the debate

that significant uncertainty surrounds key issues. Currency,

regulation, tax, pensions, EU membership, and support for

companies operating around the world. That poses a risk to business

and whilst we face uncertainty every day, the scale and significance and

likely duration of those uncertainties are too great a risk

to take. Our conclusion is that the business case has not been made. Can

you reassure her? This is 130 individuals who believe independence

is not for them. There are some prominent individuals. The majority

of the Scottish economy is SME so there are voices just as important.

The range of signatories in that letter, we range from sole traders,

right up to small limited companies that have great potential to grow

and also huge multinational listed companies that are doing business

around the world. Whilst we are all signing in an individual capacity,

collectively we have had group responsibility for being the beating

heart of the Scottish economy, creating tens of thousands of jobs

and making the economy fly. Independence, whether for or

against, would be quite people and people and the Whidbey uncertainty.

I believe there won't be. 2500 members believe it is a strong

opportunity and I find it strange that three weeks before the debate

that we have 130 individuals who are somehow creating some sort of

negativity out of this. Their opinion would have been much more

welcome long ago stopped as usual this is a no campaign scare story.

They have come a long with a no vote but we do not offer a plan of their

own. They have no vision or plan, unless we suit tonight, which is

acceptable to the Scottish business community. First of all, have a look

at the mains on those list and I would challenge to suggest they are

people of not significant vision. We believe in the future of Scotland

and we have a successful country at the moment a growing economy and

record employment rates and investment level. That success have

been `` has been achieved as part of the UK, an important major market

with a global impact and important for business. Our vision is to keep

flourishing. We believe the way to do that is to stay part of the UK.

It provides the foundation for further investment in jobs and

industry. At any of the businesses represented threatening to leave

Scotland if there is a yes vote? If conditions are not competitive and

number of our signatories will have to relocate. I am one of those.

Several financial institutions are relocating `` are talking about

relocating if there is a yes vote. They have said a bigger issue is the

exit from the EU, which could happen next year. That is a definite issue

for them and leaving the EU is a massive issue for them and so

probably the people who signed up to her report. If there is a

significant chance the UK might leave the EU, some of the businesses

who support a no vote must be concerned. The main political

parties are committed to remaining parts of the EU but on stronger

terms. We have a very advantageous position is part of the EU which can

be further improved. If Scotland were to become independent it would

have to start from .0 and negotiate its membership. It is highly

unlikely that its position would be as favourable as what we enjoy just

now in the UK. Thank you both. And that intervention

from business leaders caused a stir in the oil`rich city of

Aberdeen where my colleague Gavin Esler has spent the day talking to

both sides of the campaign. That letter from 130 businesses has

shaken up the debate because it turns so much on economics and oil,

and that has been thrown into doubt. I enjoyed by representatives from

Better Together and Yes Scotland. They're saying that the case has not

been made and they hate uncertainty. They are welcome to their opinion

and there is an equally large group, 2500 members, coming down

with a contrary point of view. They may be saying that the case has not

been made but that does not mean that the case does not exist. I

think there is uncertainty and cars in business to have a look at what

is being offered from the yes campaign. They are saying the risk

is too high and tax and pensions and regulations in the oil and gas

industry, they are not convinced this is the best thing for Scotland

and the UK. We can see how busy the sport is. Expansions plan are just

down the road. Which presumably will happen whatever the Scottish people

decide. But oil industry is multinational and it will continue

to thrive. It will thrive and both my children will hopefully benefit

from what is happening in Aberdeen and the jobs it will bring. The

uncertainty of independence might put the brakes on it. For jobs and

their future, I believe having those kind of opportunities here in

Aberdeen is better if we are part of our biggest market, which is down

south. As this is always operate with uncertainties. Uncertainty is

George Osborne's ?2 billion tax drain on the oil industry. That's

why it is at a record low because the oil industry does not like the

uncertainty from the Westminster government. It Scottish Government

would do a better job of managing the resource will resource. We have

heard somebody say that there is less reserve here. They operate on

Rangers. If you have to assign a certain number, many other people

feel very comfortable with the mean average number of 24 billion

barrels. There are a lot of reserves but they are harder to get out. The

recovery factor of those reserves has gone down because they are much

harder to get out will stop they are in difficult geographical places

stop I work in an industry where we have two work together and share

knowledge for a collaborative approach and I think we must do that

within and between companies. We need to be smarter at what we do. I

think we can do that if we work together with the rest of the UK.

This part of the debate is key to the future of Aberdeen and Scotland.

This contention over the economy and oil will continue.

A Better Together campaign video, broadcast last night,

It featured an actress voicing concerns about independence.

Better Together say the comments were drawn from real

concern raised by women in focus groups and doorstep canvassing.

Yes supporters say the campaign video is "insulting".

Here's a short clip, so you can decide.

Do you know? My husband is worse than the TV these days. He will not

leave off about the referendum. He started again this morning. Have you

made a decision yet? It is too early to discuss politics. Eat your

cereal. So he asks the kids. Honestly, like he will get any sense

out of them. Don't get me wrong. I know how important this photos.

There is not much time left for me to make a decision but there are

only so many hours in the day and there is a lot to way up.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has confirmed Scotland will not pay

its share of the UK debt if it does not get a currency union

Mr Swinney told a BBC referendum debate if the UK seized all

the assets of the currency it must also take all the liabilities.

It's estimated Scotland's share of UK debt would be

The former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has appeared

in public alongside Alistair Darling for the first time since the two men

Speaking at a Better Together event in Dundee, Mr Brown claimed the UK

welfare state "offers better protection for pensioners,

His speech was briefly interrupted by a demonstrator.

Both sides of the campaign targeted the Highlands and Islands today.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander joined

the former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell in Inverness to tell

local people they had "the best of both worlds" as part of the UK.

Meanwhile the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sailed to Shetland

on the overnight ferry to target undecided voters.

Our correspondent James Cook caught up with her.

Welcome to Lerwick. Closer to Oslo than London. Many people here say

they feel more in tune with Scandinavia than with Scotland in

some regards. Let's talk about what that might mean in the context of

the referendum. With me is Nicola Sturgeon. What brings you to

Shetland? I am campaigning for a yes vote in the referendum. The weather

was fantastic today. I am making the case that independence is not just

about the transfer of power from Westminster to Holyrood, important

though that is. It is also a great opportunity for us to look at where

power best lies in Scotland and British decisions are best taken.

There is a great demand for more island autonomy and we are keen to

work with violence to make sure that happens. `` the islands. Scotland

the council 's came together and said to the Westminster and Scottish

government that it is time for a transfer of power.

years and although they have approached you with demands, some

people suggest this is a bit cynical, that you are looking for

their vote, and now you are saying that you will do something if they

vote for independence but many people say they just want the extra

powers. Why can you not deliver them under devolution? We can if we will,

we will work with the authorities to do that but there are some powers we

are keen to devolve. For example the Crown Estates where there are

revenues from the lease of the sea beds, developments that impact on

the islands, we think it is right that the revenue is kept in the

islands. We can't do that right now. Westminster party say that they will

do that even if there is a no vote. Lets see, you ask what we have done

so far but they have had a belonged to do this and they have not done

it. Let's take the opportunity to do that. Revenues from oil in

Shetland, it is on the verge of another boom. If we can take control

of oil revenues, we can make sure there is more community benefit for

the areas impacted by those kind of developments. Talking of oil and

business, we have seen a letter in the Scotsman, 130 business leaders

saying they have concerns about your plans because they don't feel they

have answers to questions about what an independent Scotland would look

like the business, especially in terms of currency. These businesses

are entitled to express their views and ask questions, but I can also

mention Business for Scotland, an organisation that has 2500 members,

businesses who can see the opportunities presented to Scotland

if we have powers in Scotland, and access to our own resources. Some of

the questions being asked by the businesses you are talking about I

would say have been answered. The no campaign's bluff on currency has

been called, even Alistair Darling said the other night that of course

Scotland can keep the pound. Businesses are active and vocal on

both sides of the campaign, but Business for Scotland is perhaps the

fastest growing part of the yes campaign saying that clearly

businesses in Scotland can see the opportunities. Thank you for joining

us. That is the view from one side of the campaign. We will be hearing

from the other side of the campaign over the next hour. That is almost

it for tonight but a reminder that there is much more on the website. I

will be back tomorrow night with the latest from the campaign trail.

Goodbye. A baby boom is creating so much

demand for school places in England that it's forcing councils to cut

budgets elsewhere, according to the It

says school repairs and building projects have been cut back to meet

a ?1 billion shortfall,