Building Bridges Between Business and Europe
Support Our Statement of Intent
The Business with Europe network is a new, non-partisan initiative to make the pragmatic business case for a closer trading relationship with the EU in order to reduce friction and boost the economy.
Business with Europe unites businesses from across sectors to speak for this shared interest with a single voice. Europe is the UK's largest trading partner, bound by structural connections: geography, supply chains, and significant shared trade flows both inward and outward.
Much closer economic integration with the EU is firmly in the national economic interest. Closer alignment will reduce friction at the border, ease regulatory compliance across markets, and make the UK a more attractive destination for investment and a base to export. It can provide businesses with the scale, certainty, and competitiveness required to thrive in a global marketplace.
"The evidence is clear: authoritative sources from the OBR to the American NBER estimate that being outside the European Union has resulted in at least a 4% reduction in UK GDP compared to remaining in the bloc. This represents lost trade, reduced investment, diminished productivity, and constrained opportunities for British companies and workers."
As Business with Europe, we believe that now is the time for action to improve the material conditions facing our importers, exporters, service providers, manufacturers, supply chain businesses, agri-food businesses, tech providers, universities, and many more.
Our country is in need of growth in order to improve the government's fiscal position, invest in public services and create the scope to lower taxes. This action must include practical improvements to how we do business with Europe, including regaining the best possible access to the EU's single market. Access to the largest market on our doorstep should not be about politics: it is a matter of necessity.
The secretariat is provided by the European Movement, which has long established relationships in Westminster and Brussels, and also supports the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Europe.
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Why is Business With Europe needed?
In the 1970s, business led the case for joining the EEC (later the European Union), making clear, apolitical value judgments about the economic benefits of membership. However, more recently, business has largely withdrawn from the political debate around Europe, mainly due to the toxicity of the discourse and a desire to appear 'neutral'.
This retreat undoubtedly helped contribute to Brexit, as silence from the business community allowed the economic advantages of being in the EU (and risks of leaving) to go somewhat unchallenged in the public debate. This ongoing failure, together with the many geopolitical and domestic challenges the UK faces, means the need to try to shape the business agenda and re-engage with Europe, has never been greater.
Our Mission
Our goal is to strengthen the economic and trading relationship between the UK and Europe, in practical, constructive ways that benefit businesses and the wider economy.
We aim to:
- Champion the voice of business in shaping a better UK-EU relationship, particularly on trade and economic cooperation.
- Support efforts to reduce barriers that make it harder for UK businesses to trade, invest, and operate across European markets.
- Help businesses grow their connections with European partners through dialogue, information sharing and collaboration.
- Build long-term momentum for a closer, more stable economic relationship, including, in time, exploring options such as participation in a customs union or the single market.
Together, we're working towards a future where businesses across the UK can trade more freely, plan with confidence, and thrive in partnership with Europe.
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