It's official - the Government will start the process of taking the UK out of the European Union next week.

Today it was announced the Government will invoke Article 50 on Wednesday 29 March ending months of uncertainty and speculation.

The UK's Permanent Representative to the European Union, Sir Tim Barrow, informed the office of European Council President, Donald Tusk, of the UK's intention to leave.

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis (pictured) said: "Last June, the people of the UK made the historic decision to leave the EU. Next Wednesday, the Government will deliver on that decision and formally start the process by triggering Article 50.

"We are on the threshold of the most important negotiation for this country for a generation.

"The Government is clear in its aims: a deal that works for every nation and region of the UK and indeed for all of Europe - a new, positive partnership between the UK and our friends and allies in the European Union."

Mike Cherry, national chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (pictured) said: "The triggering of Article 50 on March 29 needs to be the starting gun for a pro-business Brexit. Smaller businesses want to make sure that easy access to the EU single market and the right ta

lent feature prominently in the forthcoming negotiations.

"A fifth (21 per cent) of small businesses with staff employ non-UK EU citizens with almost half of these (47 per cent) relying predominantly on mid-skilled staff. They include care, construction and production workers who often require specialist skills and training. The right to remain for these non-UK EU citizens must be guaranteed at the earliest opportunity to provide reassurance to smaller firms and their work forces.

"Settling this issue is crucial to business owners and the economy. In addition, any future immigration system must ensure that small firms can easily recruit the right person, for the right job, at the right time without adding additional administrative burdens on already time and resource strapped small businesses.

"One in three FSB members trades overseas, with the vast majority trading with the EU (92 per cent of small business exporters and 85 per cent of importers). The Government must ensure that its proposed comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU retains the same ease of trade currently enjoyed, with no new barriers for small businesses.

"Recent FSB research finds that nearly half (47 per cent) of exporting small businesses say that tariffs play a role in where they export. In addition, non-tariff barriers (for example customs administration) are of equal importance. Just as importantly, the Government needs to provide additional support to small businesses to ensure they can capitalise on new trade opportunities with non-EU markets post-Brexit."

What do you think?

• How will this affect your company?

• Are you pleased the date has finally been announced?

• Should the PM call a General Election?

• Could it slow consumer spending?

• Will the national media get hysterical and 'make' it happen!

• Should we cut Scotland adrift from the UK?

• Should we cut Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, adrift?

Send your views to mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk