Over 1,200 business leaders have signed a letter in todays’ Times on why their companies are stronger by the UK remaining in the EU. The letter is signed by businesses large and small – the signatories include more than 900 small and medium-sized firms and 51 of the FTSE 100. Between them their companies employ 1.75 million people.
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 June 23, we back Britain remaining in the EU.
The letter is signed by a number of companies – again both large and small – from across the UK’s successful aerospace, defence, security and space industries. Many of these companies have also communicated directly with their employees the reasons why they believe remaining in the EU is best for their business.
The UK’s membership of the EU delivers key benefits for our sectors. Access to free trade and pan-European supply chains makes doing business with Toulouse, Turin and Trier as easy as doing business with Norwich, Newcastle and Nuneaton. The EU is an important source of funding for UK research, development, collaboration and innovation, with the UK winning almost £100m for R&D in our sectors each year – which supports well-paid jobs, new technology and high-tech exports. And our sectors value the UK’s ability to influence the rules of the EU single market and the global standards which shape the regulatory environment for our key customers and suppliers. Whether we’re in or out, the UK will have to meet EU regulations to trade with the EU.
Tomorrow the people of the UK vote to decide on whether we remain in the EU or leave the EU. The decision they take will have a significant long-term impact.
Our sectors are clear: the UK’s continued membership of the EU is good for companies, their employees and the future prosperity of the country.
