Business confidence in Scotland has dropped into negative territory for the first time in 12 months, according to the latest Grant Thornton UK survey. A score of -7 was recorded for the second quarter of 2016, well down from the 10.4 rating for the previous quarter, Machinery Market reported. Kevin Engel, Grant Thornton managing partner in Scotland, said: “It is troubling to see such a dip in confidence levels but also understandable, given the level of political and economic uncertainty facing the nation. Our findings follow a prolonged downturn in Aberdeen’s oil and gas market, which has far-reaching consequences throughout the Scottish economy”.
