Brexit talk welcomed by business

PM’s speech “reassuring”

BUSINESS leaders in the East Midlands have welcomed Prime Minster Theresa May’s “reassuring” speech which set out her top priorities for negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Mrs May delivered her much-anticipated Brexit strategy last week which includes leaving the EU single market and Customs Union, restricting migration, removing the UK from rules and regulations imposed by the European Court of Justice, and giving MPS a vote on the final deal.

The PM promised to push for the “freest possible trade” with European countries and warned the EU that trying to “punish” the UK would be “an act of calamitous self-harm”.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson later said countries are “queuing up” to sign trade deals with the UK.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of the East Midlands Chamber, which represents thousands of firms across the region, said its members will take a “level of comfort” from the PM’s assurance to set up new trade deals with the Bloc.

He added: “We are still walking an unknown path, but it was good to hear Mrs May stress that free trade means more trade, more jobs, more wealth and more growth.

“She has set out a position that indicates that she does have business interests at heart, which is something we have said from the outset should be a driving force in Brexit negotiations.

“Business understands that you can’t set all your cards on the table when you’re negotiating and there is a judgment to be made between what you reveal and what you hold back.

“In the meantime, business will continue to do what it does best – create wealth and jobs and drive the economy – and be ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

He welcomed Mrs May’s announcement to allow UK firms to continue recruiting skilled workers from the EU.

But he said concerns remain around Britain’s place in the Customs Union, which allows free passage of goods throughout the EU.