Hundreds of businesses have contributed to a new study about the most important issues that need raising during the UK's Brexit negotiations.

Seven key areas of concern are highlighted in a report by the British Chambers of Commerce, entitled 'Business Brexit Priorities', after feedback from 400 companies.

The main recommendations to the Government are:

• Provide certainty for businesses on the residence rights of their existing EU workers, provide clarity on hiring from EU countries during the negotiation period, and avoid expensive and bureaucratic processes for post-Brexit hires from the EU;

• Aim to minimise tariffs, seek to avoid costly non-tariff barriers, grandfather existing EU free trade agreements with third countries, and expand the trade mission programme;

• Develop future customs procedures at the UK border in partnership with business, seek to maintain the UK's position as an entry point for global businesses to Europe;

• Guarantee that HMRC is appropriately resourced to help businesses through the transition process, and provide clarity on whether VAT legislation will continue to mirror current core VAT principles;

• Ensure stability by incorporating existing EU regulations into UK law and maintaining these for a minimum period following Brexit, and ensure that product standards are aligned with, and recognised by, the EU to keep UK products competitive;

• Maintain UK access to the European Investment Bank, and ensure there is no funding 'cliff-edge' for areas in receipt of EU funding;

• In Northern Ireland, the government must avoid any return to a hard border, so that businesses can move people and goods as freely as possible.

BCC director general Adam Marshall said: "Business communities across the UK want practical considerations, not ideology or politics, at the heart of the government's approach to Brexit negotiations.

"What's debated in Westminster often isn't what matters for most businesses.

"Most firms care little about the exact process for triggering Article 50, but they care a lot about an unexpected VAT hit to their cash flow, sudden changes to regulation, the inability to recruit the right people for the job, or if their products are stopped by customs authorities at the border.

"The everyday nitty-gritty of doing business across borders must be front and centre in the negotiation process.

"What's also clear is that the eventual Brexit deal is far from the only thing on the minds of the UK's business communities.

"An ambitious domestic agenda for business and the economy is also essential so that business can drive our post-Brexit success.

"Firms across the UK want a clear assurance that Brexit isn't going to be the only thing on the Government's economic agenda for the next few years."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co..uk 

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