Most firms ‘can’t wait to ditch Brussels’
MOST British firms support Brexit and believe it will boost the economy, a survey reveals.
Despite the doom-laden warnings of business groups such as the CBI, the poll shows that 53 per cent of UK companies believe leaving the European Union will be good for the nation’s prosperity.
The same proportion think it is in their firm’s best interests, the survey by FTI Consulting found.
When asked about their personal preference, nearly two-thirds of bosses said they would rather be out of the EU.
It is in sharp contrast to the views of campaigners at big business organisations, who loudly proclaim their opposition to major changes as we leave the bloc. The proBrussels Confederation of British Industry has warned of economic catastrophe unless we remain in the customs union.
It has said the country would be unable to strike valuable new trade deals and would be bound by rules over which it has not had any say.
FTI researchers said the results showed a gulf between the entrepreneurs who run businesses and the bureaucratic organisations that claim to represent them.
They said: ‘When unshackled from their managerial responsibilities, company leaders are more relaxed about Brexit and – in fact – just want politicians to “get on with it” so that they can return to a stable business climate.
‘It is also interesting to note the differences here between those responding to our survey and the public interventions by business representative bodies.’
The survey also reveals that businesses expect a deal to be done.
Three-quarters of UK companies believe they will get tariff-free access to the Continent. And 71 per cent of British finance firms expect to keep the valuable passporting rights allowing them to sell services to clients in other countries.
Surprisingly, 63 per cent of companies here expect free movement of people to continue too. This is despite ministers insisting there will be an end to unrestricted mass migration after we have left.
A majority of French, German and Spanish firms said Brexit will be good for the EU economy and the economy of their country. FTI surveyed 642 British companies, 632 German ones, 646 from France and 648 from Spain.
The CBI has received about £148,000 a year from the European Commission since 2015. Last December its head, Paul Drechsler, said leaving the customs union was ‘the most serious issue any country in the world has ever had to face’.