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North East businesses could thrive outside EU, says Business for Britain North East

A selection of North East businesses have collectively scrutinised the UK’s relationship with the EU, launching a campaign to bring about change.

Business for Britain North East believes politicians have given EU officials too much control over our regional economy, making it difficult to create sufficient local jobs.

The Business for Britain regional council, which includes the likes of writer Matt Ridley, Ebac’s John Elliott and chairman Andrew Saunders, will provide a platform for businesses to engage in the debate in the EU referendum.

Polling research of SMEs, conducted by YouGov, has found that that North East businesses surveyed want to see real changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU.

Findings:

• More North East smaller businesses think the EU is making it harder for their business to employ people - by 25% to 11%.
• More North East smaller businesses think that EU regulation hinders rather than helps them - by 25% to 20%.
• More North East smaller businesses want the UK to control negotiating trade deals rather than the EU - by 54% to 17%.
• 41% of SMEs questioned in the North East believe that the UK can trade and cooperate with the EU without giving away permanent control over our economy

Andrew Saunders, Regional Chairman for Business for Britain North East, said: “More business leaders in the North East feel that the EU is hindering rather than helping them. EU rules are making it more difficult for us to expand and take on new staff.

“We’ve given away too much control over our economy to politicians in Brussels. I want to see powers come back so that we can make rules that are better suited to the needs of businesses in the North East.

“I believe that North East businesses could thrive outside the European Union – that’s why I will be voting to leave.”

Ebac chairman and founder John Elliott said: “This is probably the only time we will get a say on this crucial issue in our lifetimes, that’s why I am happy to be involved in Business for Britain, North East.

“The EU is a failed concept – it doesn’t work for businesses. If we vote to remain, we may be stuck inside this failing project forever and that will create real problems for businesses.

“If we vote to leave we can take back control over trade policy, allowing us to do more deals with growing economies like China and India. As an exporter I know that will help businesses in the North East to grow, much more than being tied to the EU which is going nowhere fast.”

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