businesses are split over how to move forward with Brexit planning in light of government uncertainty, with many companies disengaging from the process altogether, the British Chambers of Commerce has warned.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May Wednesday, the BCC said there was “no room for continued ambiguity” as companies try to make hiring and investment decisions for the future.
The letter comes as May heads into talks with her so-called Brexit war Cabinet over the U.’s negotiating position on key issues such as the customs union.
“Patience is wearing thin,” said Francis Martin, president of the BCC, and Adam Marshall, the BCC’s director general, in the letter. “Directly-affected companies are poised to activate contingency plans. Many others, worryingly, have simply disengaged.”
The Cabinet has yet to decide what kind of trading relationship it wants with the EU after it leaves, with ministers deeply divided across the board. A government official said last week that May had ruled out staying in the EU’s customs union after Brexit, though some pro-European lawmakers in her own party are attempting to force her to change course.
A customs union imposes a common external tariff on goods coming into the EU, a key issue for British businesses reliant on imports looking to avoid a hike in costs.
Businesses have campaigned for a grace period to allow them to prepare for the changes. and European officials are aiming to reach an agreement by the end of March on the terms of a two-year transition, one year before Britain’s official exit day, though there are concerns this deadline could slip.
“The BCC has refrained from entering into the noisy political debate on the shape of the final settlement in recent weeks,” said Martin and Marshall. But “businesses need those elected to govern our country to make choices — and to deliver a clear, unequivocal statement of intent.
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