Chambers report highlights Brexit related issues across region

A new report produced by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) in partnership with Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce explores the ongoing impact of Brexit since the UK 's departure from the European Union.

462 businesses from across the West Midlands provided quantitative and qualitative feedback on the challenges they have faced over the last two years.

The three Chambers are working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority to deliver a range of activity to inform local businesses about the latest Brexit- related developments.

As part of the project, the Chambers have produced an impact analysis report which follows on from a report published in the summer of 2021 which explored similar themes.

Key findings included:

• Approximately two in five (43 per cent) businesses reported that importing goods from the EU was more difficult as a result of the UK 's departure from the EU.
• Just over 30 per cent of businesses said they found it more difficult to export goods to the EU as a result of the UK 's departure from the EU
• Manufacturers were significantly more impacted by the UK 's departure from the EU than services firms, particularly with regard to importing and exporting goods and recruiting EU workers.
• The most commonly encountered issue by businesses was increased costs, followed by supply chain issues and border delays. Microbusinesses and SMEs were more acutely impacted by such issues than larger businesses.
• Businesses were more likely to either pass on increased costs to customers or absorb increased costs themselves than any other action to overcome issues relating to the UK 's departure from the EU.

Raj Kandola, head of policy at GBCC, said: “The results from our latest Impact Analysis Report have simply underlined the ongoing challenges businesses across the West Midlands continue to face as a result of Brexit.

“Increased costs, a lack of capacity to deal with additional paperwork coupled with reduced demand from EU customers were all cited as common issues firms had encountered over the last 18 months.

“Taking into account the broader economic problems firms are currently grappling with, notably soaring energy prices and rising inflation, it 's a potent mix and reaffirms the complex landscape that firms find themselves operating in.

“It 's essential the Government act now to remove existing barriers to trade which are hampering businesses ability to trade with the EU and get a grip on spiralling costs - we also need see support available for those firms that are keen to expand into new markets globally - a topic that will be high on the agenda at our upcoming Global Trade Conference. ”

Click here to read the report

Click here to attend the Global Trade Conference