The Business Magazine - B2B Business News - Site Logo
The Business Magazine March 2024
Read now
PICK YOUR EDITION

South: Six in 10 EEF members want to stay in the EU 

24 February 2016
Share
Companies-default

Independent new research, conducted by GfK on behalf of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, shows that over six in 10 EEF members (61%) are in favour of the UK remaining in the EU. Only a quarter (24%) say that their company is undecided or won’t be taking a stance, and only 5% support a ‘Brexit’.

 

The poll is the first conducted by the manufacturers’ organisation since the referendum was announced, and the findings are released ahead of this year’s National Manufacturing Conference where campaigners from both the ‘In’ and ‘Out’ camps will be taking part in a debate, in which Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Britain for Business will be for the vote-leave camp, and MP Damian Green of the Conservative Europe Group for the remain camp.

The poll shows that the pro-EU stance is fairly evenly spread across all company sizes. It also suggests that the outcome of government negotiations is unlikely to make a great deal of difference, particularly for EEF members who are pro-EU.

The findings show that over half (51%) of pro-EU EEF members want to remain in the EU regardless of the outcome of renegotiations, while a further 28% say their company is unlikely to change its view. Within the smaller ‘Out’ camp, 54% say the outcome could turn (33%) or sway (21%) their view.

According to the survey, 70% of EEF members say that remaining in the EU is important (50%) or critical for the business of their company (20%). 

The findings suggest that members, in weighing up the pros and cons of EU membership, are taking a pragmatic view. Only 3% claim not to see any advantages to business of being in the EU, while 9% see no disadvantages. 

Members identify the top business advantage of EU membership as the fact that it makes it easier for UK companies to start exporting (81%). At the same time, they perceive red tape (72%) as the key disadvantage for UK business.

Other advantages identified are ease of travel between member states (77%), access to a large export market (76%) and one set of trading rules and regulations for 28 member states (73%). Besides red tape, the main disadvantages registered are the potential for slower economic growth in the EU to hold the UK back (49%), and greater potential for economic contagion or disruption across markets (44%).

Interest in exporting and the role that the EU plays in this is very high – only one in 10 of those surveyed do not export or are not interested in exporting to neighbouring countries in the EU. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, over eight in 10 (82%) say that it does not make sense for the UK to cut itself off from its major market. At the same time, 82% agree that the UK has a key role to play in helping the EU become more efficient and more inclined to work harder for its members.

Only two in 10 (20%) believe that UK business is held back by the EU, and there is similarly little support (22%) for the idea that the UK faces a choice between exporting to the EU and exporting globally. There is also broad recognition that trade deals today are negotiated between blocs rather than individual trading nations (59% agree/15% disagree).

Terry Scuoler, CEO of EEF, said: “These findings show that the majority of our members – of all sizes – are pragmatically pro-EU. There are no rose-tinted spectacles here – our members are fully aware of the pros and cons of EU membership and, on balance, have decided that the UK’s interests are best served by remaining.

“Our findings reinforce the fact that companies, particularly those interested in exporting, do not see the point of the UK cutting itself off from its major market. More importantly, they reject the idea that the UK faces a straight choice between exporting to the EU and expanding its global reach. They understand that a dynamic and growing economy should and could be doing both, and that being part of the EU helps to underpin rather than to undermine our global presence and trade ambitions.

“This is not to suggest the EU is perfect – our members are fully aware of and frank about the EU’s shortcomings. But they also value its benefits and strongly believe that the right way forward is to reform and improve the EU for the benefit of all member states rather than simply walk away.”

 


Related topics

Related articles

Upcoming events

view more
06
Jun

South Coast Property Awards 2024

Hilton Southampton
Utilita Bowl
More info
18
Jul

Thames Valley Tech & Innovation Awards 2024

Reading FC Conference & Events
Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading
More info
12
Sep

Thames Valley Property Awards 2024

Ascot Pavilion
Ascot Racecourse
More info
03
Oct

South Coast Tech & Innovation Awards 2024

Hilton Southampton
Utilita Bowl
More info
07
Nov

Thames Valley Deals Awards 2024

Reading FC Conference & Events
Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading
More info

Related articles