CE marking regime , as are many manufacturers . Carolyn Fairbairn added : “ While each sector has issues specific to it , there are many crossovers and common principles that unite them , for example the need to avoid cliff edge changes that cause disruption to supply chains and trade . “ Where companies differ is how they prioritise these issues and the contrasting emphasis they place on trade , migration and regulation . To make a success of Brexit for the whole economy , government needs to work through all these issues , as well as seize the opportunities afforded by a new focus on the UK ’ s global economic relationships .” The report identifies that many legal requirements have cross-sector implications – for example , energy and environmental regulations have an impact on construction , housing , manufacturing , and water companies . |
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a generally positive year for the industry . In particular , demand for private refurbishment work was robust throughout 2016 and in terms of private and social house building , builders expect workloads to grow in the first three months of 2017 . However , if the government wants the objectives of its Housing White Paper to be realised , it will need to ensure the construction sector has the skilled workers it needs to build these new homes .”
WHOLE ECONOMY APPROACH The UK ’ s new relationship with the European Union ( EU ) must meet the needs of every sector of the economy to be a success , as the consequences of leaving
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any behind could have knock-on effects for others , says the Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ). This follows its largest consultation of members since before the EU referendum . The CBI has held thousands of conversations across the country with trade associations and firms of all sizes since the summer and taken an in-depth look at the opportunities , concerns and questions that 18 sectors of the UK economy face ahead of EU negotiations in 2017 - on the ease of doing business , regulation , and access to talent . In ‘ Making a Success of Brexit ,’ the CBI calls on the government to consider the complexity of the modern economy where no |
business operates in isolation . Products come with complementary services , supply chains overlap across borders , and many companies do not fit neatly into a single sector . Carolyn Fairbairn , CBI director-general , said : “ Businesses in every corner of the UK are rolling up their sleeves as they prepare for life outside the EU and are committed to making it a success . “ Leaving the EU will be a highly complex process , and all sectors of the economy are making their priorities clear in order to get it right . “ The government will need to take a ‘ whole economy ’ approach to avoid leaving sectors behind .” |
‘ Businesses in every corner of the UK are rolling up their sleeves as they prepare for life outside the EU and are committed to making it a success ’
The CBI ’ s consultation reveals that many questions are shared by businesses across sectors . These include : The chemicals and plastics sector – which exports towards £ 30bn worth of products each year – is asking whether it will still be able to access the skilled employees it needs at its plants . This is also an issue for logistics firms who already face a shortfall of nearly 35,000 HGV drivers Construction companies – which will build the UK ’ s new homes , roads and rail in a sector worth over £ 100bn to the UK economy - are asking about the potential costs of importing materials and the future of the
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BUSINESS STAYS POSITIVE It is to their credit that other business organisations remain largely positive and patient about the Brexit machinations . The Forum of Private Business welcomed the plans set out by the Prime Minister in her Brexit speech as ‘ the best business could hope for at this stage ’. It said : “ Having juggled , over the last few months , with the uncertainty of not knowing whether the UK would be following a Norway model , a Sweden model , a soft exit or a hard exit , businesses are now able to plan based on knowing what the intent of the government is , even if there is no certainty it will be able to deliver .” Forum of Private Business chief executive , Ian Cass , commented : “ Businesses are facing challenging times at the moment with fuel prices rising , inflation showing an increasing trend and the exchange rate volatile , all as a result of Brexit uncertainty . The Prime Minister has now at least sought to introduce some optimism for businesses by setting out the government ’ s plans for the next two years . Whether those plans will come into fruition is another matter , but at least we now have an indication of their intent which is welcome .”
Sources : www . fmb . org . uk www . cbi . org . uk /
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