UK businesses unprepared for a no-deal Brexit; BCC warns

UK businesses unprepared for a no-deal Brexit; BCC warns

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warned that a “concerningly high number” of UK businesses were unprepared for a no-deal Brexit after a research showed that more than two-fifths of British companies had not conducted a Brexit risk assessment.

Parliament moved closer to obstructing a no-deal Brexit after passing a bill intended to force Boris Johnson to seek an extension, slating the exit date to 31st October.

“Businesses do not want to see a messy and disorderly Brexit, but ongoing uncertainty means they must prepare for all possibilities as the October deadline looms,” said BCC’s director general, Adam Marshall, after publishing a survey of 1,500 firms that consisted of mainly small and medium-sized enterprises. He added that, “Our evidence yet again reinforces the importance of averting a chaotic exit on October 31st.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said that supporting businesses ready for Brexit was their top priority, with an additional £108 million in funding support recently.