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The vast majority of Scottish Engineering companies are concerned about the impact of Brexit on their businesses and most want to continue in a customs union with the EU.

A survey conducted by trade body Scottish Engineering echoes the strong concerns expressed by Jaguar Land Rover, which has said a Brexit deal would hit its profits and threaten £80bn of investment in the UK.

Of the Scottish Engineering member companies polled 81% said they were concerned or very concerned about the potential impacts of Brexit.

And 72% agreed or strongly agreed that the UK should continue in a customs union with the EU and retain membership of the European Single Market.

By comparison, less than 11% had no strong opinion on the topic, with 6% stating that they were not concerned about a potential negative impact from Brexit, and just over 1% advising that they were positive about the change.

Less than 12% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the UK should continue in a customs union with the EU and retain membership of the European single market, with under 16% being undecided on this point.

Paul Sheerin, chief executive of Scottish Engineering, said: “One month ago based on member concerns, we pleaded for sense to prevail and clarity on Brexit to be delivered.

“In the days since we have seen a deeply concerning stance to business coming from parts of the UK Government, and we urge them to carefully consider the wider concerns expressed by the engineering and manufacturing industry as it finalises its position on the pathway to Brexit”.

Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata Motors, said that its” heart and soul is in the UK” but that without frictionless trade with EU countries its UK investment plans would be “in jeopardy”.

Ralf Speth, the chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “A bad Brexit deal would cost Jaguar Land Rover more than £1.2bn profit each year.

"As a result, we would have to drastically adjust our spending profile; we have spent around £50bn in the UK in the past five years - with plans for a further £80bn more in the next five.

"This would be in jeopardy should we be faced with the wrong outcome."

Jaguar Land Rover’s major plants are at Halewood in Merseyside, Solihull in the Midlands and Castle Bromwich in Birmingham but in addition to the 40,000 direct jobs there are 260,000 in its supply chain including in Scotland.