Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said she welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham reopening discussions on Britain's EU membership, despite the uncertainty it could create. She argued that the UK's current trading relationship with the EU was damaging business, with more than half of bosses surveyed by the group believing the deal negotiated by Boris Johnson's government and enacted in 2021 was not helping them.
Economists estimate the cost to the UK economy has been up to £240bn so far, with national income per head between 6% and 8% lower than it would have been had the UK not left the EU. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates a long-term hit of about 4% of gross domestic product. Haviland said businesses had expected the trading relationship to become easier as they adjusted to new rules, but this had not happened.
The British Chambers of Commerce said it would consult its 50,000 members, who collectively employ more than 6 million people across the UK, on a range of options for Britain's relationship with the EU, including rejoining the bloc. Haviland said the question was economic rather than political, and that the language around Brexit needed to move on.
Haviland also called on Chancellor John Healey to take bold action at the upcoming budget to support firms facing growing pressure from rising energy prices. She urged action on energy bills, business rates and employment taxes to help companies recruit more young people.