Business has a vital role to play in getting the best Brexit deal for Britain

SIR – 2016 was a year of unprecedented change for politics, society and business. The decisions made in the year ahead will shape the prospects of people, businesses and communities across Britain for generations to come.

We are committed to making 2017 a year of progress and success, and to working with the Government to shape a better economy. Industry input into the Brexit negotiations is critical. The Government must enter negotiations with the evidence needed to understand the implications of the decisions and trade-offs that lie ahead.

This evidence must be drawn from the experience of enterprises of all sizes, which are committed, despite an uncertain business environment, to delivering the economic growth that creates jobs and funds public services.

A modern industrial strategy relies on a vision of our future shared between firms, the Government and society. By calling on the knowledge available across Britain, this plan can transform our sectors and communities. Success depends on an open and honest dialogue, and we welcome the engagement we have had so far with the Government. Firms must work to be more transparent and build fairness into the heart of their operations, including their supply chains. The Government, employees and customers should champion the businesses that do this; 2017 must be the year when this open dialogue begins to deliver for Britain.

We commit ourselves to playing our part, working with businesses from all corners of Britain, to seize the opportunities and overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Mike Cherry National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses Carolyn Fairbairn Director General, CBI Adam Marshall Director General, British Chambers of Commerce Terry Scuoler CEO, EEF Simon Walker Director General, Institute of Directors SIR – A senior investment bank contact informs me that, due to the two- or three-year lead time required, his and other banks are intending to move their EU-related operations to the Eurozone without waiting for the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

If true, this means that there is no point in Britain going into battle on their behalf, and no point in trying to negotiate a two-year transition period. This would simplify the negotiations.

It also underlines the fact that the financial services industry should not have too great an influence in the negotiations, and must not be allowed to lead Britain by the nose. Peter Johnson Littlehampton, West Sussex SIR – The Brussels elite are saying it will take up to 10 years to negotiate a Brexit deal. The Government should call their bluff and leave now, cancel our subscription, and then negotiate.

That would concentrate minds. Peter Mosley Inverness