Member Article

Businesses told disorderly Brexit unlikely during Parliament visit

A delegation of businesses from Coventry and Warwickshire have been told that a ‘disorderly’ Brexit is now less likely during a visit to Parliament.

But companies that formed part of the trip organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce have reiterated the need for certainty as the withdrawal from the EU approaches.

Around 20 companies representing a range of sectors from across the region heard from Adam Marshall, the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), and Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones, who hosted the event in Parliament.

The meeting took place as MPs debated the EU Withdrawal deal in the House of Commons, with the companies present calling for politics to be put to one side to help give business a more certain outlook.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Chamber, said: “It was reassuring to hear that a disorderly or messy Brexit is now less likely on the back of the events of the past few days but we are still some way off a clear picture of where we are going to end up.

“What we heard from businesses during the visit was that they want certainty and that the uncertainty is now starting to bite in many ways. We heard that investment decisions are being put on hold as some investors are operating with a ‘wait and see what happens’ mind-set.

“There isn’t an appetite among businesses for this to be drawn out any more than it needs to be without being given some clear idea of what the future holds. Once they know whether it’s going to be the deal on the table or another deal, they can start to make firm plans.

“As a Chamber, we’ve been working hard since before the referendum to offer guidance through our Brexit Club but we can’t have all the answers until there is more certainty about where we are heading.”

Business leaders also raised other issues affecting their companies such as supply of land, energy costs and skills during a session chaired by former president David Burton.

Louise added: “We are delighted that, as a Chamber of Commerce, we can offer this opportunity to companies from a range of sectors to have their voice heard and also to be informed of the very latest that is happening in Westminster at a time when the picture is changing by the hour.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .