NICOLA Sturgeon will hear the Brexit fears of EU citizens living in Scotland face-to-face this week as the Scottish Cabinet holds a special meeting to discuss Europe.

The First Minister will take part in a question and answer session with hundreds of EU citizens at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

Around 450 people have so far signed up for the event, at which Sturgeon will underline her commitment to protecting “Scotland’s relationship with and place in Europe”.

Participants are expected from 24 of the 27 EU states outside the UK, plus as many as six non-EU countries, and will have the chance to discuss Brexit with the government’s top politicians.

Sturgeon will hold a special 'European Cabinet' just before the 90-minute Q&A to discuss the growing ramifications of Brexit on the economy and wider society.

Last week, she announced a £100m stimulus package for the Scottish economy, but was later criticised after it emerged this was not new money, but part of last year’s underspend.

The day after the UK voted 52-48 to Leave the EU and Scotland voted 62-38 to Remain, Sturgeon used her first public announcement to reassure EU citizens directly. "You remain welcome here, Scotland is your home and your contribution is valued,” she said.

Last night, as she looked ahead to the Edinburgh event, Sturgeon said: “Scotland spoke loudly and clearly when it delivered an unequivocal vote to remain in the EU. It is my duty as First Minister to speak on behalf of all Scottish citizens, including those who have chosen to come from other parts of the EU and make Scotland their home. They have brought a wealth of social, economic and cultural benefits and have enriched our society. And as I said on the day after the referendum, they remain very welcome here.

“My Cabinet and I are determined to provide reassurance and certainty, wherever we can, to those who have come to Scotland and have contributed so valuably. Our priority is to protect Scotland’s interests, and the interests of everyone living, working and studying here. That’s why I, alongside my Cabinet, am considering all possible options to protect Scotland’s continuing relationship with, and place in, Europe for future generations.”

The SNP also highlighted a new Ipsos Mori poll yesterday which suggested a backlash to Brexit across Europe could hit Scotland’s tourism market and food and drink industries. The survey of 6000 people across eight other EU states found 26 per cent less likely to visit the UK in light of Brexit, compared to eight per cent more likely and 66 per cent no change.

More than a third of French and Italians polled said they were less likely to visit now.

Around 27 per cent of people from the EU also said they were now less likely to buy British goods or services, compared to seven per cent more likely and 66 per cent no change.

Again, the backlash was strongest in Italy, with 43 per cent put off buying British goods.

The EU is the biggest export market for Scottish food, valued at £1.9bn in 2015.

SNP MSP Ashten Regan-Denham, a member of Holyrood’s European Committee, said: “These are very concerning findings. We may never know that total cost of the Brexit vote in terms of lost revenue and trade, but already it seems that it is likely to have a very serious impact on the Scottish economy. All of this is yet further evidence that Scotland needs to protect its place in the EU by whatever means possible.”

However the collapse of the pound against the Euro means the buying power of EU citizens has shot up since the Brexit vote – a factor that could also stimulate spending in the UK.

Bobby Duffy, Managing Director of the Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute, added: “There seems to be little sign of outright antagonism from the EU public, but a minority already say they may avoid British goods and visits to the country. A backlash among the public in the EU is the last thing the UK economy can afford.”