EU referendum decision is about economy, not politics, says Chamber

Businesses should think about maximising long term regional economic growth when making decisions about the EU Referendum, according to the leader of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.

Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, has spoken out following the launch of the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which focuses heavily on the EU Referendum and its impact on businesses.

His comments come as the Chambers announce they will hold a flagship event on 12 April with the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Sheffield University Management School to share the QES results and discuss the up and coming EU Referendum vote in June.

The Quarterly Economic Survey Breakfast will feature economic arguments for and against Europe, relating these arguments to the local economy to give businesses a greater understanding of the decision as to which way they will vote.

Mr Denniff said: “We have not taken a position on Europe. We will facilitate debate and have plans in place to start that process after Easter. Responding to the QES is a perfect opportunity for all our members to make their views known and tell us what they think.

“It’s for members to decide, after all they are the ones who will be voting in June. This is a major decision for the whole nation and should not be influenced by individuals who hold positions of responsibility in representative organisations like ours”.

“Staying in or leaving the EU is a complex question that is often confused. For business there needs to be a clear economic assessment. What is becoming very apparent is that many businesses are seeking clarity because at the moment they just don’t know what to believe.”

The British Chambers of Commerce QES is the largest and most representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK. Businesses are questioned on a wide range of issues, including: home sales and orders, export sales and orders, employment prospects, investment, recruitment difficulties, cashflow, confidence and price pressures.

The latest QES survey, which launched last month in partnership with the Sheffield City Region LEP, the region’s four Chambers and the University of Sheffield Management School, will help give a mandate to the LEP’s and Chambers’ lobbying work with local, regional and national Government and decision makers to help shape the region’s economic strategy and business support structure.

To take part in the QES, visit https://screconomy.org.uk/survey/.

For more information about the FREE breakfast event, which will be hosted by the University of Sheffield at The Edge at Endcliffe Village, visit https://screconomy.org.uk/events/