Government must set out clear path 10 years on from Brexit referendum

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the government to set out a clear plan to ease the burdens it has placed on business 10 years after the Brexit referendum took place.

The Brexit referendum took place on June 23, 2016 with 51.9 per cent of voters voting leave and 48.1 per cent voting to remain.

According to BCC research, over half of UK exporters (54 per cent) think the current trade deal with the EU is making it harder to export and the need for change is urgent.

Only 16 per cent say the current deal is supporting them to grow. This has been a consistent picture since BCC started to track the impact of the deal in 2021. 

About three times as many exporters support aligning with EU product rules as oppose it with 55 per cent saying it would help their business compared to 18 per cent who think it would hinder growth.

There is also increasing concern among UK firms involved in European supply chains about the EU’s Made in Europe agenda. 

There are competing visions within the EU on its exact format, but a more extreme version could have a chilling effect on cross-border trade. 

New content rules on sourcing from within the EU could squeeze British firms out of supply chains as the United Kingdom is now a third-party country.  

Other key issues for business that still need to be addressed include customs red tape, VAT complexity, business mobility, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and increased cooperation on defence.

Raj Kandola (pictured), deputy CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, part of BCC, said: "The EU remains the West Midlands' largest trading market but it’s clear that in the last decade that local firms have faced increased costs and complexity when trading with their European counterparts.

“We welcome the British Chambers of Commerce report calling for practical steps from government to simplify the UK's biggest trading relationship and our Global division remains on hand to provide regional businesses the practical support they need to flourish overseas."

Read GBCC CEO Henrietta Brealey’s blog on why the UK–EU trade relationship needs a practical reset.