Business chief calls for Brexit compromise
The pace of decline in parts of industry has eased, but most firms want a Brexit deal to be agreed as the UK’S exit from the EU nears, according to a report.
The CBI said a survey of 648 companies showed that only 4% would prefer no deal on trade to be reached in the coming months.
Half of respondents said the impact of dealing with coronavirus has negatively affected preparations for Brexit.
The study showed that private-sector activity fell in the quarter to September, but at a slower pace.
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director general, said: “Next week Brexit talks enter the 11th hour. Now must be the time for political leadership and the spirit of compromise to shine through on both sides. A deal can and must be made.
“Businesses face a hat-trick of unprecedented challenges – rebuilding from the first wave of Covid-19, dealing with the resurgence of the virus and preparing
for significant changes to the UK’S trading relationship with the EU. More than three-quarters of businesses want to see a deal that will support people’s jobs and livelihoods.
“For the whole continent, the pandemic has diminished firms’ ability to prepare for an abrupt interruption of restrictions on trade and movement between the UK and the EU.”
She added: “A good deal will provide the strongest possible foundation as countries build back from the pandemic.”
The fall in activity in the private sector is expected to ease again over the next three months, said the CBI.