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. Our country is in need of growth, and access to the largest market on our doorstep should not be about politics: it is a matter of necessity.