LEAVING the EU would have a devastating impact on millions of people as a future pro-Brexit government sought to overturn a series of important rights, a think tank has warned.

The non-aligned Scotland Institute said consumer protections and workers rights

enshrined in EU law would be threatened by a vote to leave next Thursday.

The report, published today, echoes warnings from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said Brexit would usher in a more right-wing Conservative administration eager to restrict workplace rights.

Her claims were dismissed yesterday by Jim Sillars, the former SNP deputy leader and a prominent Leave campaigner, who said it would be "suicidal" for a future government to roll back popular entitlements such as holiday pay and paid maternity and paternity leave.

The Scotland Institute report listed a string of workers rights, including working hours, holiday pay and redundancy arrangements, that it said had been guaranteed by the EU often in the face of opposition from UK governments.

It concluded: "There is no reason at all to believe that the current UK Government would seek to make changes that improved workplace rights.

"All the evidence suggests that those proposing the UK leaves the EU intend to weaken all the gains that have come from over 40 years of EU membership."

On consumer rights, the report said "normally EU intervention has worked in the favour of UK consumers".

It cited the recent ban on excessive roaming charges for using a mobile phone in another EU country as a key example.

"If the UK was to leave the EU, there is no guarantee that this would continue to apply to UK residents," the report said.

Executive chairman of the Scotland Institute, Dr Azeem Ibrahim, said: "There can be no doubt that the European Union is a massive gain for workers’ rights and consumer protection.

"By definition, if the UK leaves the European Union we lose all of the benefits of membership as workers and consumers.

"The motivations of those leading the charge to the exit door tells me that these hard-won rights would very likely be lost if the UK votes to leave."

He added: "These rights belong to the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK, and I cannot see the possible advantage in throwing them away, so that they continue to be enjoyed by people in France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and all of the 27 other countries, but not us."

The report comes as the two sides prepare to hold major rallies in Scotland today.

Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, and Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister and Lib Dem leader, will be among the speakers at a cross-party Remain rally in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, Gisela Stewart, the Labour MP and chairwoman of the official Vote Leave campaign, will address supporters in Glasgow.

Ms Dugdale will warn a vote for Brexit would "see us cast off alone in the world" and should not be used as a protest against the present workings of the EU.

"You don't have to love the EU. You don't have to be happy about everything about Europe.

"But you do have to know that this is on a knife-edge," she will say.

In a special appeal to older voters, she will add: "On behalf of my generation I plea to older voters, please do not limit the future of the next generation."

Labour yesterday produced figures showing a vote to Remain could secure 100,000 new jobs in Scotland by 2030.

Mr Clegg will aim a broadside at his former coalition partners when he tells supporters: "This referendum is too important to be reduced to a squabble between a handful of Conservatives who went to school together.

"The outcome will make a huge difference to the lives of millions of people across Scotland and the United Kingdom, and especially to young people who will have to live with the consequences for decades to come."

He will highlight Scotland's

"proud internationalist tradition" and echo Ms Sturgeon's plea that Scots could tip the balance in favour of Remain.

"Just as I believe that the UK should be a leader in the EU, I think Scotland has an opportunity to lead the referendum debate within the UK over the final week of the campaign," he will say.

In a separate development, a polls has shown Scotland's lawyers are strongly in favour of Britain remaining in the EU.

Of 528 respondents in a poll conducted by Scottish Legal News, 78 per cent voted in favour of Remain, with 22 per cent backing Leave.