The Prime Minister hosted Chairmen and CEOs from some of the UK’s
largest employers and investors this evening for a short
presentation and question and answer session following the EU
Council on Sunday.
Over 100 leaders representing a range of sectors including
financial services, advanced manufacturing, food and drink and
retail attended, alongside business organisations and trade
associations.
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, , opened the session and
this was followed by a technical briefing from senior officials.
The Business Secretary and the Chancellor were also in
attendance.
The Prime Minister then gave a short address, she said:
“I am acutely aware that for employers like you this is about
realities on the ground and the practicalities of doing business.
That is why, since I became Prime Minister, I have been clear in
my desire to secure a Brexit that honours the result of the
referendum in a way that protects jobs and economic growth.
“The Withdrawal Agreement endorsed by leaders in Brussels
yesterday does many things. It ensures our smooth and orderly
departure on 29th March next year. It delivers a time-limited
Implementation Period, during which trade will continue on
current terms, so you have time to prepare for the new
arrangements and only face one set of changes. It protects the
rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in
the EU, meaning no disruption to your existing workforces and it
meets our commitment to ensure there is no hard border between
Northern Ireland and Ireland – and no customs border in the Irish
Sea. Having spoken to many of you over the past two years I know
just how important it is that you continue to enjoy frictionless
trade with the rest of the EU.”
On the Political Declaration she said:
“It includes a new Free Trade Area with no tariffs, fees,
quantitative restrictions or rules of origin checks – an
unprecedented economic relationship that no other major economy
has. It includes liberalisation in trade in services well beyond
WTO commitments and building on recent EU Free Trade Agreements.
It includes new arrangements for our financial services sector –
ensuring market access cannot be withdrawn on a whim. And
regulatory autonomy will be preserved, but we will each ensure
that our approaches are transparent, efficient and compatible as
far as possible, doing all we can to avoid unnecessary regulatory
requirements.
“So taken together, the Withdrawal Agreement and the broad terms
of our new relationship, should provide your businesses with the
reassurance and certainty that I know is so important to you.”
Representatives from businesses including BT, Shell and Blackrock
and trade associations including the National Farmers Union and
London First asked questions.
