UK musn't drag Scotland out of the EU

Speaking ahead of a debate on Scotland’s membership of the EU in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Yousaf emphasised that any vote to exit the EU is only valid if each constituent part of the UK votes to leave.

Mr Yousaf made clear that support for EU membership is strong and continues to grow in Scotland. And he stressed the economic and social benefits a membership of Europe brings, with Scotland exporting nearly £13 billion of goods and services to Europe a year - trade that supports 330,000 Scottish jobs.

Mr Yousaf said:“Our EU membership brings enormous benefits to Scotland and it is vital that it continues. It would be completely unacceptable for Scotland to be dragged out of the EU against her will.

“The Scottish Government does not support the Prime Minister’s proposed in-out referendum on the UK’s EU membership. That puts Scotland’s place in Europe in grave danger – and we will continue to passionately advocate the benefits of being part of Europe.

“Membership of the EU places Scottish businesses within the world’s largest economy, whose 500 million citizens enjoy some of the highest standards of living on the globe. Around 20 million businesses operate in the EU single market, and the EU is a vital export market for Scottish firms – accounting for almost half of Scotland’s international exports in 2013, worth a massive £12.9 billion each year."