43% of SMEs believe we should leave the EU, according to the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer*.
UK owner managers are displaying increased skepticism about the benefits of European membership. 43% of respondents believe we should leave the EU. Of these, 45% feel that this is because struggling European countries will have a serious detrimental effect on the UK economy and 39 per cent think that we would simply be better off if we were to leave the EU.
CEO of Close Brothers Invoice Finance, David Thomson said:
“Business owners seem to be questioning how much the EU costs the UK. It’s worrying on two counts – firstly the amount that we contribute to the budget, £12bn in 2012. Secondly, the 5% increase in this contribution in the next 24 months.
“There was a real sense of optimism when we joined the EEC, that we were becoming a member of a large, flourishing market. However, as a nation we now continue to struggle financially and owner managers are concerned that the Eurozone crisis could continue to add further pressure to the survival of UK businesses."
Of those survey respondents who don’t think the UK should quit the EU, more than a third believe that being part of the European community does offer real advantages when it comes to competing in a global marketplace. David Thomson continued:
“Companies across the UK are looking for reassurance that economic recovery won’t be hindered by a greater force. The government seems to be making plans for a more flexible agreement with Europe, which will protect the best interests of British industry and business.
“Let’s hope that any new settlement will make UK SMEs feel comfortable and supported in their plans for growth.”
*The Close Brothers Business Barometer is carried out independently by Lightspeed Research on a quarterly basis. It canvasses the opinion of SME owner managers on a range of issues affecting their business.
