British companies again Brexit as they warn rejoining EU is a ‘joke’

Some small and medium sized enterprise homeowners have warned in opposition to UK re-joining the European Union with one businessman saying Britain stays higher off outdoors the bloc.

YouGov lately launched ballot outcomes which confirmed some Britons want a referendum on the UK re-joining the EU inside a decade, although solely a minority need to see such a vote this 12 months.

Express.co.uk requested corporations throughout the UK whether or not re-joining would profit British companies. Many are set in opposition to the transfer because of the disruption it will trigger, the potential for completely different phrases on the desk and EU forms.

Tom Anderson, CEO at Hummingbird Agency in Peterborough, stated: “Re-joining the EU – you must be joking? It’s tempting to think the grass is always greener on the other side.”

Mr Anderson added: “While some argue businesses thrived during our time in the EU, let’s not forget the bureaucratic red tape and the constraints on forging new trade deals outside the bloc.

“Some of the most recent commerce offers we have been doing are actually thrilling and can drive innovation and alternative for individuals who search it.

“The UK, as a sovereign nation, now has the agility to adapt to global economic shifts, something that a large entity like the EU might struggle with. Moreover, our unique identity and brand as ‘Britain’ is a huge selling point in global markets.

“While there are simple short-term challenges, the long-term potential outdoors the EU may simply be the aggressive edge companies want.”

UK trade statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show goods exports to the EU totalled £13.3billion in January 2020 with £14.5bn worth of goods exported to non-EU countries.

By June 2023, goods exports to the bloc amounted to £14.8bn with the rest of the world totalling £16.7bn, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the ONS.

Imports from the EU have risen sharply with £20bn worth of goods imported in January 2020 rising to £27.5bn in June. This compares to £18.2bn of imports from non-EU countries in January 2020 increasing to £19.9bn in June, the ONS figures show.

Lucinda O’Reilly, Director at The International Trade Consultancy, told Express.co.uk: “I assume the individuals who assume rejoining the EU is a panacea for our present financial, labour and immigration issues consider we’ll return in on the identical phrases as once we left. We will not.

“The EU will undoubtedly insist on higher financial contributions and more favourable terms for EU citizens wishing to live and work in the UK.

“Having gone by means of the ache of adapting to commerce with the EU beneath the phrases of the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement it will be insanity to reverse it so quickly.

“Outside of Europe, we are joining CPTPP which is a great opportunity, we’ve signed several trade agreements with US states and we’re a long way down the road to negotiating an agreement with India. These are all things the EU would like to have done but can’t because they’re hamstrung by the number of conflicting interests they have to reconcile.

“I’m not saying we must always by no means rejoin however inside 10 years is just too quickly, 15 – 20 will give us the knowledge we have to consider correctly.”

Describing himself as a “sturdy” Remain campaigner earlier than the Brexit vote, Keith Budden, Managing Director at Ensurety, stated he’s additionally a democrat so he accepted the bulk determination.

He added: “I believe even the strongest Brexit supporter would agree there are a lot of areas the place the promised Brexit bonus has not materialised, though I settle for a few of that’s right down to the pandemic delaying/suspending regular life.

“Nonetheless, I personally don’t, and I don’t sense that any of my business contacts do either, have any desire for us to rejoin the EU. Why? because we have just been through years of business and the economy being held back by red tape and bureaucratic adjustment.

“If we return in, it isn’t going to be a case of ‘Welcome Back’ and every part immediately goes again to pre-Brexit days – we would be the new child on the block, and there shall be numerous new adjustments for enterprise to navigate. Why oh why would anybody need that?”

Other business owners suggested re-joining would boost Britain’s economy by removing friction at the border and reduce paperwork.

Sam Kirk, Managing Director at J-Flex Rubber Products in Retford, Notts, said rejoining would eliminate trade barriers which have caused some businesses to put a halt on exports completely.

Mr Kirk added: “Simplifying documentation necessities and customs procedures would take away extra time and prices, while an easing of journey and immigration guidelines might probably alleviate the continued staffing and abilities crises that so many are confronted with at current.”

Samuel Mather-Holgate, Independent Financial Advisor at Mather and Murray Financial, told Express.co.uk re-joining would be “a large shot within the arm for British enterprise”.

He added: “Since the referendum end result, the UK economic system has been on valium, ponderously staggering about and never getting very far. The commerce offers which were struck are principally carbon copies of what we had within the EU and people extra agreements make up a gravely insignificant proportion of our worldwide commerce.”

But he stated such a vote wouldn’t occur as a result of there isn’t any political will for it.

David Robinson, co-founder of Wildcat Law, stated one factor Brexit delivered was copious portions of paperwork.

He stated: “Businesses of all sizes up and down the nation now should fill in, typically quite a few, types for transactions that had been beforehand easy.

“This has introduced costs in terms of time to complete the paperwork but also uncertainty resulting in an increased need for legal advice and even more costs.”

Laura-Jayne Grey, proprietor of Small Dog Silver, stated: “As a small jeweller I’ve needed to cease sending to the vast majority of the EU since Brexit.

“Due to not being a part of a reciprocal settlement for hallmarking it’s made promoting to my closest market nearly unattainable. Rejoining would imply that I can’t solely restart gross sales, but in addition simply go to mainland Europe for commerce reveals.”

Leonor Calaça, owner and operator at Edinburgh based knitting supplies firm Eleanor Shadow, said: “Leavers saved claiming EU guidelines had been stopping us from doing higher enterprise overseas. All I’ve seen up to now is extra pink tape and never with the ability to promote to EU prospects as simply as earlier than, plus my supplies growing in worth as a result of they’re now classed as imports.

“Is this ‘taking back control’?”