Next PM must improve EU trading, says business group

The next UK government should focus on a better trading relationship with the EU after Brexit costs made exports more difficult, one of the country’s most influential business groups has said.

- JOE MIDDLETON

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) published its election manifesto on Friday, citing “stronger trade relations with the UK’s major trade partners, including the EU” as one of its priorities.

Martin McTague, national chair of the FSB, said Britain’s decision to leave the EU has impacted some small businesses negatively if exporting to the EU.

He told The Independent: “What we are seeing in specific areas is a really big drop-off for exporters. Location is very important and a lot of small businesses don’t have the resources to take on the distant markets. Vicinity is important. A lot of them have been put off by the additional burden that Brexit has caused.”