Wednesday, 22 June 2016

EU referendum: More Than 1,280 Business Back UK Membership



More than 1,280 executives, including directors from 51 FTSE 100 companies, have signed a letter backing the UK's membership of the European Union.
The Remain camp said the letter to the Times showed "unprecedented" support from across business and finance.
However, entrepreneur Sir James Dyson and other businessmen have made the case for a Leave vote.
Wednesday is the last official day of campaigning ahead of the UK's referendum on membership of the EU.
The UK will go to the polls on Thursday to decide whether to remain or leave the 28-country bloc.

Many business leaders who signed the Times letter have already expressed support, but Remain said new names include Sir John Parker from Anglo American, and Barclays' John McFarlane.
Companies on the list employ 1.75 million people, Remain said.
In the joint letter, the bosses say: "We know our firms are stronger in Europe. Our reasons are straightforward: businesses and their employees benefit massively from being able to trade inside the world's largest single market without barriers.
"Even those that want Britain to leave say that, in the short-term, Brexit would lead to economic uncertainty and would put jobs at risk.
"Britain leaving the EU would mean uncertainty for our firms, less trade with Europe and fewer jobs.
"Britain remaining in the EU would mean the opposite - more certainty, more trade and more jobs. EU membership is good for business and good for British jobs. That's why, on 23 June, we back Britain remaining in the EU."
Polls suggest that while big business is broadly in favour of staying in the EU, small firms are evenly split.
But Remain said its list included some 900 small businesses, ranging from a salt maker in Anglesey, dairy farmers in Devon, printers in Antrim and whisky distilleries in the Scottish Highlands.
The group said that such an overwhelming show of support from UK businesses puts to bed the claim of Leave campaigners that "business is split" on the Europe issue.
 Credit:BBC

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