Our response to vote to delay Brexit beyond 31 October 2019

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

“From the political turmoil a small chink of light for business - most firms back an extension over the known harm of no deal. Yet, with an election looming, many remain deeply concerned about the ongoing impact of uncertainty on the economy.

“The Brexit clock may appear to stop from time to time, but for firms it keeps ticking.

“Until a deal is agreed, companies will continue to divert billions of pounds from productive investment to no deal preparations, and international investors will continue to question if the UK is a stable, open place to do business. 

“Whatever happens next, any delay must have purpose and be used to rediscover a spirit of compromise in Westminster to stop a political crisis from becoming an economic one.”