Your thoughts on Brexit

Executive Summary

In June 2016 the UK voted in a referendum to leave the European Union (EU). Of those that did, 52% of people voted to leave the EU. Of those who voted in Scotland, 62% voted to remain in the EU. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU in March 2019. Before then, the UK Government and the EU have to decide how the UK leaves the EU and what the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be like.

The Scottish Government believes that it is vital to gather the opinions of children and young people to make sure their voices are heard during Brexit negotiations. To support such insight gathering, Young Scot worked with the Scottish Government to develop a survey. The purpose of the survey was to identify how Brexit is currently affecting young people in Scotland and what impact they believe it will have in the future. The survey was hosted on our preferred third-party website Survey Gizmo between 24th November 2017 and 11th March 2018, receiving 593 complete responses.

• Most respondents (70%) don’t think [Brexit] is a good result; 9% think it’s a good result.

• When asked if the result has affected them, 42% stated that Yes I think it has affected me and 16% stated No I don’t think it has affected me.

• Three quarters of respondents stated that they think [Brexit] will affect them in the future, while 4% don’t think [Brexit] will affect their future.

• When asked what was important to them in Brexit negotiations, 461 respondents typed an answer. These responses were categorised into 10 key themes: Trade/Economy, Travel/Free Movement, Fairness of deal, Education/Employment, Relationship with EU, Rights, Scottish Role in Brexit, Health, Law and Other Factors.

• When asked if there were any specific benefits from EU membership that they were concerned about missing out on, 443 typed an answer. These responses were categorised into 13 key themes: Travel/Free Movement, Trade/Economy, Education/Employment, Funding, Safety/Security, Health, Relationship with EU, Rights, Law, Environmental Factors, Roaming Charges, Cultural Factors and Other Factors.

• Of those respondents who are employed, 10% think that Brexit’s effect has been positive and 39% think that it has been negative on their current employment situation. Around half (51%) stated that Brexit has had no effect on their employment situation.

• In terms of how Brexit will affect workers, 37% said they were not sure how Brexit will affect them as a worker and just over a quarter haven’t given it much thought. Of those that think there will be an effect, more respondents think this will be negative (32%) rather than positive (5%).

• When asked what impact Brexit will have on employment or career opportunities, over half (55%) said opportunities will decrease, while 9% thought that opportunities will increase. Eight percent thought that there will be no change.

• In terms of how Brexit will affect students, 28% said they were not sure how Brexit will affect them as a student and a quarter haven’t given it much thought. Of those that think there will be an effect, more respondents think this will be negative (41%) rather than positive (5%).

• Most respondents (35%) stated that Brexit hasn’t made [them] change [their] plans or ambitions, while 19% of respondents stated that Brexit has made [them] change [their] plans or ambitions.

• In terms of studying opportunities, almost half (47%) of respondents think that studying opportunities will decrease following Brexit, while 6% of respondents think that opportunities will increase.

• Over half (56%) of respondents think that Brexit will have a negative effect on their family life while 6% of respondents think Brexit will have a positive effect on their family life.

• In terms of rights, most respondents (44%) haven’t given … much thought as to how Brexit will affect their rights as a young person. Almost a third of respondents think that their rights will be affected negatively, a fifth think their rights will not be affected and 4% think their rights will be affected positively.

• Almost half of respondents (48%) think that the rights of EU nationals will be affected negatively while 4% think their rights will be affected positively.

• Just over half of respondents (58%) think that co-operation on national security will be more difficult while 5% think co-operation will be easier. Seven percent of respondents stated that it will have no effect and 36% haven’t given it much thought.

• Around half of respondents (49%) provided further comments. These responses were categorised into seven key themes: General Opinion, Scottish Role in Brexit, Issues Regarding Young People, Remain/Another Vote, General Politics, Benefits/Factors and Other.

Responses to the qualitative questions have undergone thematic analysis. Each response was individually read and categorised into relevant secondary themes. In some cases, a response met the criteria of more than one category. All answers have been sorted into as many categories as relevant, meaning some answers span several categories. This means that the quantified results from qualitative questions may not always add up to 100%. All raw responses within their themed groups have been included in the Appendices.

Some responses have been labelled as ‘non-pertinent’. These were typed responses that were deemed either overly explicit or not understandable. The responses are not included in the report but will be within the Appendices.

Results: General Thoughts

Almost 400 respondents (396) stated that they don’t think it’s a good result. Around 20% stated that are either not bothered or haven’t given it much thought. Fifty three respondents selected I think it’s a good result.

Most respondents (237) agreed that the resulted has affected them, while 92 respondents do not think it has affected them.

Three quarters of respondents believe that the result will affect them in the future. Around 20% selected I think it might affect me or I haven’t given it much thought. Twenty two respondents do not believe that the result will affect them in the future.

Out of 593 respondents 461 typed an answer to this question. Responses were categorised into 10 key themes:

• Trade/Economy

• Travel/Free Movement

• Fairness of deal

• Education/Employment

• Other Factors

• Relationship with EU

• Rights

• Scottish Role in Brexit

• Health

• Law

A further 45 people typed a variation of I don’t know or I’m not sure. Three respondents typed Everything and 21 typed Nothing. Fourteen responses were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

A quarter of respondents referred to either trade or economic factors. Some responses made specific reference to the single market (14) or the customs union (10).

“Getting a good trade deal is important to me as this could be the difference of a stable economy and a new recession. Jobs and the economy need to be considered.”

A quarter of respondents also highlighted issues with travel and movement between countries. Travel Factors are in reference to general travel/holidays in the EU, where Free Movement covers the opportunity to live in different countries.

“That people can still move around freely and that people from EU countries who are currently living in the UK can stay here.”

Almost a quarter of respondents who answered this question referred to the process of negotiating itself. They particularly wanted to make sure that the views of young people, all relevant people, and those of different classes were all represented during negotiation.

“Brexit negotiations should HAVE to discuss the future of the population's youth. Many politicians only think of their own future after the future of their homes, not the future of hundreds of thousands of young people who will have to live for years in the consequences of any decisions made.”

Education and employment issues were raised by 15% of respondents. Ten responses referenced a specific industry (e.g. farming, scientific research).

“Ensuring funding for our education and languages are kept secure - young people's education should be top priority.”

Thirty two responses were not easily categorised into the other themes as they represented less than two individual opinions. Issues of safety and security, funding and environmental factors were also highlighted.

“I want our Government to ensure that they get what is best for our country for example to ensure that our population is safe and also to ensure that we deter of any threats …”

Fifty eight respondents stated that it was important that relationships between the EU and the UK remain intact, with some stating that the UK should attempt to stay in the EU.

“Keeping a good relationship with the European countries will benefit us both financially and with education links.”

Thirty respondents highlighted the role of Scotland in Brexit negotiations in comparison to the rest of the UK.

“Scotland should not be overlooked and the results of Scotland taken into consideration instead of being dismissed by the British government.”

A further 30 respondents stated that certain rights provided by EU membership should be upheld during negotiations.

“The acknowledgement of the tens of thousands of EU citizens living the UK, and securing their future.”

Thirteen responses mentioned the importance of breaking free from or improving current EU legislation.

“Making U.K. Laws more important than EU laws. Taking anything that affects the U.K. away from the EU.”

A further 13 responses made reference to the importance of health factors in Brexit negotiations.

“Keeping the NHS and free healthcare when travelling. …”

Out of 593 respondents 443 typed an answer to this question. Responses were categorised into 13 key themes:

• Travel/Free Movement

• Trade/Economy

• Education/Employment

• Funding

• Safety/Security

• Health

• Relationship with EU

• Other Factors

• Rights

• Law

• Environmental Factors

• Roaming Charges

• Cultural Factors

A further 32 people typed a variation of I don’t know or I’m not sure. Six respondents typed Yes without specifying a benefit and 71 typed Nothing. Nineteen responses were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘non-pertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Almost half of respondents who answered this question mentioned travel and movement between countries. Travel Factors are in reference to general travel/holidays in the EU, where Free Movement covers the opportunity to live in different countries.

“Being able to easily travel around Europe, I think, is a big loss of benefit.”

Almost a quarter of responses mentioned trade or economic factors. Some responses made specific reference to the single market (13) or the customs union (4).

“I am worried about missing out on the benefits of the single market and the price of British products increasing abroad because of this.”

Education and employment factors were raised by 19% of respondents. Nine responses referenced a specific industry (e.g. farming, scientific research).

“My biggest concern is the impact it will have on the education system and the benefits of study abroad within the EU.”

EU funding for a variety of initiatives was mentioned by 5% of responses.

“Academic funding, and funding for community projects.”

The UK’s safety and security post-Brexit was highlighted by a further 5% of responses.

“The protection that we are granted with the EU membership.”

Benefits to health were highlighted by 4% of responses. Most were concerned about receiving free healthcare when on holiday, with 4 responses making specific reference to losing out on the EHIC card.

“If you are on holiday and you are ill you will get health care but after we leave the EU we won’t get that.”

Sixteen responses stated that leaving the EU will impact a sense of community or friendship with neighbouring countries.

“The unity, the feeling of being part of a community, we'll lose that if we go it alone.”

Fourteen responses were not easily categorised into the other themes as they represented less than two individual opinions.

“Different agreement that could change Britain we could miss out on.”

Eleven respondents stated that certain rights provided by EU membership will be lost. These included the rights of EU nationals currently living in the UK and UK nationals currently living in the EU.

“I am worried about my rights in general. I am not a British citizen, so I am not sure what I can expect once the UK will leave.”

The loss of particular EU laws was highlighted by eight respondents.

“Good trade relationships and partnerships being covered by EU regulations/laws.”

Seven respondents highlighted an impact on UK environmental issues.

“Many wildlife areas in Scotland anyway are funded by the EU so I'm concerned what will become of them.”

Five respondents highlighted the fact that there are currently no mobile roaming charges when visiting EU countries.

“freedom of movement, no extra calling fees.”

Four respondents mentioned that leaving the EU will have an impact on culture.

“… laws to protect cultural heritage”

Results: Current or Future Career

Out of 593 respondents, 158 answered this question (400 stated that it was not applicable and 35 left it blank). Of those 158, just over half believed that Brexit has had no effect on their employment situation. Of those that think there has been an effect, 16 selected that it has been positive and 62 selected that it has been negative.

Most respondents (203) are not sure how Brexit will affect them as a worker and just over a quarter haven’t given it much thought. More respondents think an effect on workers will be negative (178) rather than positive (27).

Most respondents (306) think that employment or career opportunities will decrease following Brexit, with 50 respondents stating that opportunities will increase. Fourty three respondents think there will be no change and 155 haven’t given it much thought.

Results: Current or Future Studies

Most respondents (230) think Brexit will have a negative effect on them as a student while 29 respondents think Brexit will have a positive effect on them as a student. Just over a quarter are not sure how it will affect them and a quarter haven’t given it much thought.

Most respondents (196) stated that Brexit hasn’t made [them] change [their] plans or ambitions, while 106 respondents stated that Brexit has made [them] change [their] plans or ambitions. A third haven’t given it much thought and 70 respondents stated that it doesn’t make any difference to them.

Most respondents (259) think that studying opportunities will decrease following Brexit, with 36 respondents stating that opportunities will increase. Sixty two respondents think there will be no change and 198 haven’t given it much thought.

Results: Family

Most respondents (307) think Brexit will have a negative effect on their family life while 32 respondents think Brexit will have a positive effect on their family life. Just over a quarter haven’t given it much thought and 62 respondents stated that it won’t have any effect.

Results: Rights

Most respondents (245) haven’t given … much thought as to how Brexit will affect their rights as a young person. Almost a third of respondents think that their rights will be affected negatively, 111 think their rights will not be affected and 20 think their rights will be affected positively.

Almost half of respondents (262) think that the rights of EU nationals will be affected negatively while 23 think their rights will be affected positively. Fourty eight respondents stated that it won’t have any effect and 217 haven’t given it much thought.

Results: Security

Just over half of respondents (289) think that co-operation on national security will be more difficult while 25 think co-operation will be easier. Thirty eight respondents stated that it will have no effect and 196 haven’t given it much thought.

Final Thoughts

Out of 593 respondents 290 typed an answer to this question. Responses were categorised into seven key themes:

• General Opinion

• Scottish Role in Brexit

• Issues Regarding Young People

• Remain/Another Vote

• General Politics

• Other

• Benefits/Factors

A further 121 people typed Nothing and 3 people typed a variation of I don’t know or I’m not sure. Eight respondents made a comment on the survey itself. Ten responses were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘non-pertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

A fifth of respondents offered a general opinion on the topic of Brexit.

“Brexit is one of the most harmful things that could happen to the UK, and will especially punish young people whose voices were ignored.”

Thirty three respondents highlighted specific issues that young people have with Brexit, including the fact that voting behavior between generations differed greatly.

“Young people are important for the future, and we want to share our thoughts and opinions about important subjects.”

Thirty three respondents highlighted the role of Scotland in Brexit negotiations in comparison to the rest of the UK.

“I feel that Scotland should be better represented in the discussion as we are already a devolved country.”

Thirty two respondents stated either that UK should attempt to stay in the EU or there should be another chance to vote.

“I believe we should have another referendum where the people who will be affected the most by Brexit will have a vote this time.”

Thirty one respondents offered a political opinion.

“Leaving the EU, however risky it may be, will regain the parliamentary sovereignty which enables the goverment to create, amend and apeal laws best suited to what our country needs not what others in the EU need. This positive overrules all possible negatives in my opinion.”

Eighteen responses were not easily categorised into the other themes as they represented less than two individual opinions. The role of the media, views of different classes and the length of the Brexit process were also highlighted.

“…I feel the media including BBC have and are still being bias towards brexit by showing it in a negative light when we are probably doing better.”

Seventeen respondents made further mention of the benefits/factors that will be impacted by Brexit.

“I want my children and those throughout the world to be able to travel be educated and seek refuge anywhere they choose”

Conclusion

Most respondents who completed the survey indicated concerns with Brexit, with three quarters stating that it will affect their future in some way. Travel, the economy, education and employment are the main topics of concern when it comes to Brexit. Respondents have also highlighted that negotiations need to take into account the views of wider society; in particular calling for greater representation for Scotland and young people.

In terms of employment, most respondents feel they have not been affected and are not sure how Brexit will impact workers. However, over half of respondents do think that employment or career opportunities will decrease. Similarly, although most respondents have not allowed Brexit to influence their future studying plans, there is a belief that opportunities for further education will also decrease.

A number of key themes have been identified in the survey, with a spectrum of opinions and experience gathered from across Scotland.

Demographics

The majority of respondents (88%) were born in part of the UK, mainly Scotland.

Most respondents were in their mid to late teens (14-17 years old).

There was representation across all 32 Local Authorities within this sample. The largest number of respondents were from Glasgow (57) or Edinburgh (48).

Respondents were also asked to provide the first half of their postcode. These responses have been included in the Appendices as they were freely typed.

Sixty two percent of respondents in the survey identified as female and 31% identified as male. Of the remaining six percent, 13 respondents selected in another way and 23 respondents selected prefer not to say.

Respondents primarily identified their ethnic group as White Scottish. Thirty nine respondents preferred not to state their ethnicity.

Most respondents do not identify themselves as having a disability, long-term illness or health condition. Out of the 52 respondents who said yes, 41 left a typed response (included in the appendix).