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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