By Ben Moore
We quizzed Simon Down, deputy dean of Lord Ashcroft International Business School, about an exclusive YouGov survey investigating the opinions of 700 SME decision makers on how the Brexit may affect SMEs’ export.
The argument for Brexit seems to have come down to a question of “better the devil you know”. There are plenty of people unhappy with our involvement in the EU, but equally people worry about the unknown. It is certainly an emotive subject, but perhaps the argument should really boil down to economic implications – will we be better off in or out
Market jitters have been rife over the last few weeks following confirmation there will be an EU referendum in June 2016 and sterling has been left vulnerable as a result.
By the end of 2017, Brits will be asked a question that nobody has asked them for 42 years: “Should the UK remain a member of the European Union ” According to Stephen Archer, director at Spring Partnerships, we should opt to leave the EU.
The European Union (EU) is clearly an important trading partner, accounting for nearly half of all UK exports. However, the EU’s share of UK trade has fallen over the past decade as other economies have seen accelerated growth, with the Brexit question coming down to bargaining power and whether the UK has the ability to act alone in the global economy.
By Alex Edwards
Currency volatility is hitting the headlines at the moment – with a strengthening dollar and the threat of Brexit looming, businesses in the UK face serious currency risk.
The referendum deciding on our future status in the European Union is now under four months away, and it’s time the powers that be know the SME community’s views on the topic.
Always eager to cover both sides of the argument, Real Business canvassed the opinion of entrepreneurs and business owners on both sides of the European Union membership debate – producing some fascinating and explosive comments.
Recent news has suggested that the London Stock Exchange and Germany’s Deutsche Börse are in talks about a merger – but not only will the looming Brexit decision impact this deal, if the “merger of equals” goes through then it would preside over many of the world’s leading financial markets.
By Ian Baxter
Entrepreneur Ian Baxter explains why, despite family pressure, he is an advocate of remaining part of the European Union on the back of David Cameron obtaining “special status” for the UK, and ahead of a June referendum when the public will ultimately decide.
