Fed up business leaders call for 'decisions not debates' on Brexit
Business leaders in the West Midlands have called for "decisions not debates" as they urged politicians to get on with striking a Brexit deal.
Black Country Chamber of Commerce head honcho Corin Crane says it is "almost unbelievable" that with less than 50 days to go until Brexit, so many questions remain unanswered on the UK's future relationship with the EU.
He said Westminster's "constant prevarication" was hurting businesses and hitting the economy as a result.
Mr Crane's comments come after the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) published a list of 20 unanswered questions relating to Britain leaving the bloc on March 29 with 'no deal'.
Bosses have demanded answers on what trade agreements will be in place with countries around the globe, and how firms can move skilled staff between the UK and EU.
Mr Crane said, “It is almost unbelievable that we are getting so close to March 29 with so many questions unanswered.
"Our businesses are some of the most innovative and resilient on the globe, but they need to understand what rules they’ll be operating with and what they need to do to adapt because this constant prevarication is now having an impact on the economy.
"Orders are starting to be lost, jobs are starting to go and the foreign owners of many of our local firms will start to re-consider their options on whether they are even based in the UK. We need decisions from Westminster not more debates.”
BCC director general Adam Marshall, said: “In less than 50 days, UK firms could face the biggest change to their terms of trade in over a generation, without the information and clarity they need to navigate their forward course.
“There is a very real risk that a lack of clear, actionable information from government will leave firms, their people and their communities hung out to dry.
“Even those companies trying their hardest to get ready are still in the dark on important matters from contracts through to customs.
"Many others, who took the decision to wait for the political process to conclude before acting, would face sudden and costly adjustments if a deal is not reached.
“The imperative remains to avoid a messy and disorderly exit, but businesses need answers they can base decisions on, no matter the outcome.
"The lack of clear, precise answers is now causing real damage to many businesses, and to the wider economy.”
