Research claiming that 52% of Scottish small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Scotland favour independence has been written off because of its small sample size.
AXA Business Insurance admitted the number of Scottish businesses asked for their view was “just less than 50”. The Scottish Government said there were 339,110 SMEs north of the border as of last March.
The news was still welcomed by the SNP, who said it showed that a “clear majority” of smaller companies backed the Yes campaign.
However, Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Gavin Brown said: “A host of previous surveys have suggested the majority of businesses, of all sizes, are against separation for a whole range of reasons.
“With such a small sample size it’s hard to draw any firm conclusions. It’s not surprising the SNP have jumped all over this, as it has had precious little else to cling to in recent times.”
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson calimed that the survey showed the “negative” approach of the No campaign was backfiring.
He added: “Business men and women on the ground know that deciding economic policies in Scotland means better policies for Scottish business for example, the small business bonus scheme, creating the most competitive business rates environment anywhere in the UK.”
The survey quizzed 500 SMEs across the whole of the UK, with around a quarter saying they thought the idea of Scotland becoming independent was a good one.
Darrell Sansom, managing director at AXA Business Insurance, said: “It is clear from our research that this is an issue that is very much front of mind for small businesses.
“SMEs have a lot of business critical issues to manage at the moment and the uncertainty around a possible independent Scotland will only add to those concerns.
“Regardless of the outcome of the vote, it is important that small businesses are looking at every eventuality and ensuring that their business is prepared for the vote to go either way.”