26 February 2019
Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK the manufacturers’ organisation said:
“Finally the Government is starting to listen to business and this is welcome. However, a short extension of article 50 simply moves the cliff edge back a few weeks and it doesn’t offer UK manufacturers confidence that we will not crash out of the EU a short time later than expected. This will be catastrophic to a sector that employs close to 3 million people and accounts for almost half of our country’s exports. Whilst they are beginning to recognise the devastating impact of no deal, Government must do much more to show business that our message has not been lost in translation.
“As we keep reiterating, UK manufacturing needs a deal. Time is running out – six weeks since the withdrawal agreement was firmly rejected and the Government gives little confidence that a mutually agreeable deal is on the way. We urge both the Government and Parliament to take all steps to unite behind a pragmatic Brexit agreement as soon as possible.
“Make UK will continue lead the campaign to protect UK manufacturing from a catastrophic no deal Brexit on any date. We ask all politicians to stand up for British business and call time on this farce.”