BUSINESSES across Scotland will soon be able to access additional resources to prepare for Brexit, the Finance Secretary has announced.

With less than three weeks until the UK is due to leave the EU, Derek Mackay said the number of staff at the Prepare for Brexit call centre in Clydebank will be scaled up to meet increasing demand.

He added more than 100 Scottish Enterprise staff will be refocused to work on helping businesses prepare for the change.

Mackay said: “The UK Government continues to ignore Scotland’s interests and Scottish Government analysis shows that all Brexit outcomes will damage the economy.

“A no-deal Brexit could lead to a potential shrinking of our economy by up to 7%, a drop in exports by up to 20% and reduced business investment in Scotland by £1 billion in 2019 but the Prime Minister’s deal will also cause major lasting damage to jobs, living standards and public services compared with EU membership.

“Last year we launched Prepare for Brexit, a multi-agency campaign aimed at informing companies on a wide range of potential Brexit impacts and encouraging them to proactively prepare.”

The Prepare for Brexit resource is a dedicated website which hosts a Brexit self-assessment tool, a measure to help businesses establish how Brexit might affect them.

The tool also provides recommendations for action to help their planning activities.

Additionally, the website is home to a 12-point checklist, expert advice, events information, workshops and access to financial support, all with the aim of providing more clarity to employers.

The campaign is being delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway.

Mackay continued: “Just as we are intensifying our work to prepare for all outcomes, more and more businesses in Scotland are making their own preparations as best they can.

“That is why we are increasing the number of staff dealing with calls from businesses looking for practical advice and why more than 100 Scottish Enterprise Staff will be refocused to work entirely on helping businesses prepare.

“However we won’t be able to mitigate all the damage of Brexit which is why the UK Government should immediately rule out no deal and change course.”

MPs are set to vote once again on Theresa May’s Brexit deal tomorrow, after it suffered a major defeat in January.

The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29, but the Government has yet to determine withdrawal terms.