The CBI today (Friday) expressed concern at a proposal to drop the reference to 'free and undistorted' competition from the EU's objectives on achieving a single market.
Reacting to the development during negotiations in Brussels towards a new EU Treaty, John Cridland, Deputy Director-General of the CBI, said:
"This is a regrettable and frustrating last-minute development. It is not just a cosmetic change - it represents a long-term threat to free competition and will strengthen the hand of protectionists within the EU in the years ahead.
"There must be no more concessions. The UK Government should not accept the EU charter of fundamental rights within the legal framework of the treaty, as it would pose an unacceptable risk to the UK's flexible labour market."