Forum of Private Business appeals to Government to remember Business Owners have Businesses to run amidst the Brexit chaos

As the Government continues to insist we are leaving the EU on the 31st October with ‘No Deal’ as the most likely outcome it has announced a series of ‘No Deal Preparation Seminars ‘ to run in the coming 5 weeks across the country, as well as a variety of weekly updates and briefings for trade and support organisations.

In response, the Forum of Private Business has hit out at the Government for the unacceptable situation that they are putting businesses in, the confusion they are causing and the time they are making businesses waste, all in the cause of their political games.

“While we understand the need to prepare for the worst, it is unbelievable that the Government sees it as acceptable to encourage business owners to abandon their businesses and attend seminars to discuss the impact of a ‘No Deal Brexit’ when Parliament has made it abundantly clear that they will not tolerate a ‘No Deal’ and have ruled it out legally, alongside encouraging the Prime Minister to extend beyond the 31st October’ says Ian Cass, Chief Executive of the Forum.

The Forum emphasises, ‘While our members have their own views on ‘leave’ or ‘remain’ they expect the Government to give direction to businesses on what is likely to happen and when, rather than pursuing a political agenda. Businesses must recognise the potential impact of a No Deal exit, but equally Government must also see the damage this lengthy exit process is causing with its associated uncertainties.’

‘If the Government was running balanced events sharing with businesses all the likely scenarios ‘Deal’, ‘No Deal’ and even ‘Article 50 withdrawal’ or ‘a new referendum’, with likely issues and timescales, that would be understandable,’ says Ian Cass, ‘but just focusing on a ‘No Deal’ exit with every indication that this will realistically not happen, and furthermore to encourage business owners to position their business strategies towards it, with the inherent costs and disruption, is irresponsible.”

“In the words of the Prime Minister himself,” comments Ian Cass, “ businesses have had a belly full of the continued uncertainty. They need direction, rather than being used as pawns in the Governments negotiation games.”

Notes to Editors:

Government press release announcement link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nationwide-government-events-launched-to-help-businesses-get-ready-for-brexit


About Forum of Private Business

The Forum of Private Business is a not-for-profit comprehensive business support organisation founded in 1977. Our membership is spread throughout the UK and primarily made up of companies that employ between 1-50 employees, helping them to manage employees, saving time, giving advice, support and protection where a business needs it. We are a recognised leading authority on business issues and represent the interests of business owners on many consultative bodies. We have built a solid reputation, being influential in many areas of policy-making, in changing laws that affect small businesses, and we continue to campaign for the fair treatment of businesses within the UK. Everything we do is about making sure our members’ businesses operate profitably. This means that every penny we make goes back in to supporting our members, providing the support and resources that will enable businesses to flourish and grow.


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