Lloyds and Shell warn on Scotland
LLOYDS Banking Group and oil giant Shell have become the latest in a line of major firms to reveal fears about the risks of Scottish independence yesterday.
“The outcome could have a material impact on compliance costs, the tax position, and cost of funding for the group,” Lloyds said in its annual report, with a vote in favour of independence cited as an emerging risk by the bank.
It added that Lloyds would continue to assess the potential financial impact of a yes vote in this year’s referendum.
Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden also weighed in on the subject at the firm’s annual reception last night, saying that he wanted Scotland to remain in the UK.
“Given a choice, we want to know as accurately as possible what investment conditions will look like 10 or 20 years from now,” van Beurden added.