Five of the UK’s largest business groups have written a joint open letter urging the government to “provide immediate action on two fronts” ahead of the UK’s divorce from the EU.
The Confederation of British Industry, the British Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, and EEF, a manufacturers’ organisation, said in a joint statement that the government must “put an end to the uncertainty facing EU nationals living and working in the UK”.
“Their skills are crucial to the success of our businesses, both now and into the future,” the letter read.
The business leaders have criticised the lack of progress at Parliament, so the government had no choice but to step up no-deal planning.
“The lack of progress in Westminster means that the risk of a no-deal Brexit is rising,” the letter said.
“But it is clear there is simply not enough time to prevent severe dislocation and disruption in just 100 days.
“This is not where we should be.”
Earlier this week, the government announced it had sent letters to 140,000 businesses across the UK, urging them to prompt their no-deal contingency plans.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
