A leading North East business group which urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to tackle issues triggered by his Brexit deal has yet to receive a reply, two weeks later.
James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, wrote to Mr Johnson a fortnight ago, saying Brexit has led to a fall in exports as well as difficulties including a shortage of HGV drivers and increased costs related to added bureaucracy.
The letter also highlighted fears that ministers could further damage businesses in the region by seeking free trade deals elsewhere around the world, making it difficult to trade with our nearest neighbours.
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Two weeks on, Mr Ramsbotham expressed his surprise at the lack of response from Number 10.
He said: “I find it surprising that two weeks on from my letter to the Prime Minister he has not taken the time to reply or even try allay the many concerns I raised about Brexit.
“Our region’s businesses do not have two weeks to sort out their costly issues and repair the damage being caused.
“Every day companies are experiencing multiple problems trading with our nearest overseas market and, as a result, while they remain unresolved, are a step backwards for our economy.”
The letter followed a survey of the Chamber’s almost 2,500 members saying three quarters of businesses had been negatively impacted by leaving the EU.
The Chamber said this was backed up by the Government’s own trade statistics which revealed a 37 per cent drop in export and import trade.
The Chamber asked for the SME Brexit Support Fund to be expanded to allow companies to train more staff and obtain the right equipment to process the new customs responsibilities.
It also wants the Government to act to make it more attractive for people to train to be lorry drivers.
The North East of England has historically carried out 59 per cent of its international trade with the EU and the chamber said it has stood out as “one of, if not the only, net-exporting region in Great Britain”.
At the time of writing the letter, Mr Ramsbotham – who will this autumn step down as the chamber’s chief executive after 15 years to become chair of Newcastle Building Society, said: “Exports are vital to the national economy. They are our national income. Damaging the ability of businesses who create wealth for our nation will make this country so much poorer.
“To do so when we are striving to recover from the pandemic, with all of its resulting debt, will burden this nation for decades.
“We encourage the Prime Minister to give this issue his most urgent and personal attention.”
