Responding to the release of the Government’s Brexit backstop plan, Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chairman, said: “Proposing a time-limited UK wide ‘Brexit backstop’, where we stay part of a customs arrangement after the agreed transition period, is a common sense solution that buys the Government more time to secure a pro-business Brexit deal.
“Momentum around both the negotiations with the EU 27 and the passage of the Withdrawal Bill has clearly been lost, while the clock continues to tick closer to the March 2019 deadline. A further safety net for small businesses should give them more time to adapt and respond to any changes that will come with the UK’s exit from the European Union and will avoid any hardening of the border on the island of Ireland. This is crucial for our small businesses in Northern Ireland.
“A ‘backstop’ cannot be seen as a full-stop to negotiations. Smaller firms need certainty and understanding of what post-Brexit landscape is being shaped. Businesses need to know how they will be able to trade, hire new staff and what sort of regulatory environment they will be working in.
“These businesses need to see a strong urgency and willingness from all parties to swiftly move forward with negotiations. If progress remains slow, there is a real fear that growth, job creation and productivity will be irreparably damaged.”
Notes to editor
About FSB
As experts in business, FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services, including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in Government. Its aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk. You can follow us on twitter @fsb_policy.
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About FSB
As the UK’s largest business support group, FSB is the voice of the UK’s small businesses and the self-employed. Established over 40 years ago to help its members succeed in business, FSB is a non-profit making and non-party political organisation that’s led by its members, for its members. As the UK’s leading business campaigner, FSB is focused on delivering change which supports smaller businesses to grow and succeed.
FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services, including access to finance, business banking, legal advice and support along with a powerful voice in Government. Each year FSB also runs the UK’s Celebrating Small Business Awards. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk. You can follow us on twitter @fsb_policy and on Instagram @fsb_uk.