Engineers against Scottish independence

Many of the engineers – the vast majority of which are employed by the Oil & Gas industry and associated petrochemical businesses – fear that independence would increase the risk of job losses, according the survey of Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) members in Scotland.

The survey found that 47% fear for their jobs, with only 18% expressing the view that employment prospects would improve should Scotland become independent.

I know that in the case of a ‘Yes’ vote two of the projects I am involved in will not progress

IChemE member

Just under half (48%) believe that separation from the UK would have a negative impact on investment in the oil and gas sector, while a quarter of respondents supported the assertion that investment would improve if Scotland votes ‘Yes’ to independence on 18 September.

Some IChemE members are also worried that business might quit an independent Scotland, with 56% of responses agreeing with the proposition that ‘business is more likely to relocate to other countries if Scotland becomes independent’. Only 28 per cent of respondents disagreed with this statement.

“I work for one of the major oil and gas companies based in Aberdeen and know that in the case of a ‘Yes’ vote two of the projects I am involved in will not progress due to uncertainly in the tax regime and stability of the country,” said one respondent to the survey.

Overall only 30% of engineers contacted by IChemeE said they would vote for independence, while 8% were undecided.