Business lobby "supports Britain remaining in the EU"

BUSINESS leaders appear to have nailed their colours to the mast following the announcement by the Prime Minister of an EU reform deal.

Mr Cameron will outline the details to the House of Commons today, where he will formally announce the date of the EU referendum as June 23.

Responding to the announcement of a deal, CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn said: “UK businesses want to see changes to the EU that will put Europe on the path to a more competitive and prosperous future – the Prime Minister’s reform package looks to be a major step forward on that journey.

“Being part of the Single Market guarantees businesses tariff-free access to 500 million consumers in Europe and is a cornerstone of the UK’s economic success.”

She said the reforms would protect the UK’s position and influence inside the European market and a renewed focus on EU competitiveness would help British firms succeed in creating jobs and economic growth.

“Firms will particularly welcome a commitment to reduce unnecessary regulation,” she added.

“Most CBI members – though not all – have told us that being in a reformed EU is better for jobs, growth and prosperity. With a final deal now in place, we will consult our members to ask for their views once again.”

However, it is by no means certain that all of Britain’s bosses are in favour of staying.

In an indication of how close the vote could be, Britain’s top 100 companies are thought to be split down the middle on the issue of staying in or out.

Meanwhile, a new poll among manufacturers has shown firm support for a future where the UK is an established part of the EU.

Independent new research published today, conducted by GfK on behalf of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, shows that 61% of EEF members are in favour of the UK remaining in the EU, while almost a quarter (24%) say their company is undecided or is not taking a stance.

There is just 5% support for a so-called ‘Brexit’.

The poll, the first conducted by the manufacturers’ organisation since the referendum was announced last year, shows that the pro-EU stance is fairly evenly spread across all company sizes. It also suggests that the outcome of Mr Cameron’s negotiations are unlikely to make a great deal of difference, particularly for EEF members that are pro-EU.

Terry Scuoler, CEO of EEF, said: “These findings show that the majority of our members – of all sizes – are pragmatically pro-EU. There are no rose-tinted spectacles here – our members are fully aware of the pros and cons of EU membership and, on balance, have decided that the UK’s interests are best served by remaining.”

The findings also tally with those aired as part of Squire Patton Boggs’ Big Manufacturing Debate, carried out in collaboration with TheBusinessDesk.com.

The anti-EU campaign has been handed an enormous boost overnight with the announcement from London Mayor Boris Johnson that he is backing moves to see the UK withdraw from the EU.

However, Will Straw, executive director of Britain Stronger In Europe, said Mr Johnson now had some serious questions to answer.

“Does he still think Britain’s membership of the single market benefits businesses and shoppers or has he changed his mind,” he said.

“He says he wants more trade, but leaving would make trade harder, push up prices for consumers and weaken economic and national security.  

“Boris might be a big personality but he highlights the Out campaigns’ biggest weakness – they have no consistency or clarity on what leaving Europe means for Britain and how our economy can be protected from the outside.”