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BMW tells UK Rolls-Royce car workers of 'benefit' of EU BMW tells UK Rolls-Royce car workers of 'benefit' of EU
(35 minutes later)
UK car workers at Rolls-Royce have been sent an email from its German parent company BMW, highlighting what it sees as the risks of a vote to leave the EU. UK car workers at Rolls-Royce have been sent an email from German parent company BMW, highlighting what it sees as the risks of a vote to leave the EU.
While stressing the decision is ultimately a matter for the British public, it highlights the "significant benefit" the company derives from the easy movement of people within the EU. While stressing the decision is ultimately a matter for the British public, BMW highlights the "significant benefit" the company derives from the free movement of people within the EU.
Without that, it says, the employment base of the company could be affected.Without that, it says, the employment base of the company could be affected.
The move comes as increasing numbers of businesses offer views on the vote. The body representing UK carmakers says it members want to stay in the EU.
A referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU will be held on 23 June.A referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU will be held on 23 June.
BMW's email - produced in full below - says the movement of people between the UK and Europe "allows the rapid transfer of expert knowledge throughout the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group networks, building the skill level of our UK workforce".BMW's email - produced in full below - says the movement of people between the UK and Europe "allows the rapid transfer of expert knowledge throughout the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group networks, building the skill level of our UK workforce".
It adds: "Free trade is important for international business.It adds: "Free trade is important for international business.
"Tariff barriers would mean higher costs and higher prices and we cannot assume that the UK would be granted free trade with Europe from outside the EU.""Tariff barriers would mean higher costs and higher prices and we cannot assume that the UK would be granted free trade with Europe from outside the EU."
Business opinionBusiness opinion
BBC business editor Simon Jack said the email would re-pose a question that was raised in the Scottish referendum as to whether it was appropriate for companies who do not have a vote, but do have a voice, to get involved in politics. BBC business editor Simon Jack said the email would re-pose a question that was raised in the Scottish referendum, as to whether it was appropriate for companies who do not have a vote, but do have a voice, to get involved in politics.
The bosses of more than 200 small companies have signed an open letter urging Britain to leave the European Union to give them the "flexibility and adaptability... key to our long-term success". The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents more than 30 manufacturers building 70 models of vehicles in the UK, said its members had "clearly stated" in a survey that pulling out of the EU could jeopardise jobs, investment and growth.
Its boss, Mike Hawes, said access to European markets was the main factor, as the industry relied on EU markets for selling roughly half of its production.
Meanwhile, the bosses of more than 200 small companies have signed an open letter urging Britain to leave the European Union to give them the "flexibility and adaptability... key to our long-term success".
The letter urges Britons not to listen to "a minority of managers from Britain's largest companies" who want Britons to stay in the EU.The letter urges Britons not to listen to "a minority of managers from Britain's largest companies" who want Britons to stay in the EU.
Last week, the heads of 36 FTSE 100 companies said in a letter published in the Times, which was organised by 10 Downing Street, that Britons should vote to remain in the EU.Last week, the heads of 36 FTSE 100 companies said in a letter published in the Times, which was organised by 10 Downing Street, that Britons should vote to remain in the EU.
Leaving the European Union would threaten jobs and put the UK's economy at risk, the chiefs of companies including BT, Marks & Spencer and Vodafone said.Leaving the European Union would threaten jobs and put the UK's economy at risk, the chiefs of companies including BT, Marks & Spencer and Vodafone said.
But Leave campaigners pointed out that two-thirds of FTSE 100 firms, including Tesco and Sainsbury, did not back the letter.But Leave campaigners pointed out that two-thirds of FTSE 100 firms, including Tesco and Sainsbury, did not back the letter.
'Tough choice''Tough choice'
Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) called the EU referendum "a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea". The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) called the EU referendum "a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea".
John Longworth, the BCC's director general, will tell its annual conference in London that people face a choice between "staying in what is essentially an unreformed European Union", or leaving the European Union "with all the near-term uncertainty and disruption that this will cause".John Longworth, the BCC's director general, will tell its annual conference in London that people face a choice between "staying in what is essentially an unreformed European Union", or leaving the European Union "with all the near-term uncertainty and disruption that this will cause".
Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor George Osborne are due to address the BCC, with Mr Osborne expected to say leaving the EU would expose companies to the "worst of all worlds".Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor George Osborne are due to address the BCC, with Mr Osborne expected to say leaving the EU would expose companies to the "worst of all worlds".
However, writing in The Times, employment minister Priti Patel, a leading Eurosceptic, said smaller and more innovative businesses were being held back by the EU.However, writing in The Times, employment minister Priti Patel, a leading Eurosceptic, said smaller and more innovative businesses were being held back by the EU.
"Entrepreneurs are increasingly suffocated by EU rules and have little influence in shaping them," she said."Entrepreneurs are increasingly suffocated by EU rules and have little influence in shaping them," she said.
Claims Britain would be frozen out of a free trade deal with the rest of Europe if it left were "risible", she added.Claims Britain would be frozen out of a free trade deal with the rest of Europe if it left were "risible", she added.
The BMW letter to Rolls-Royce workersThe BMW letter to Rolls-Royce workers
Dear colleagues,Dear colleagues,
As the debate around the referendum to decide the future of the UK's European Union membership increases, it is an appropriate time to outline the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group position.As the debate around the referendum to decide the future of the UK's European Union membership increases, it is an appropriate time to outline the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group position.
The decision on whether to stay in the EU or not is for British voters to decide on in June. However, as a wholly-owned BMW Group company, it is important for all Rolls-Royce Motor Cars employees to understand the view of our parent company.The decision on whether to stay in the EU or not is for British voters to decide on in June. However, as a wholly-owned BMW Group company, it is important for all Rolls-Royce Motor Cars employees to understand the view of our parent company.
The BMW Group believes that the UK is better as a member of the EU than it would be outside it. You will see in the media this week an open letter supporting the campaign to stay in the EU, signed by around 200 business leaders, including Member of the AG Board, Ian Robertson.The BMW Group believes that the UK is better as a member of the EU than it would be outside it. You will see in the media this week an open letter supporting the campaign to stay in the EU, signed by around 200 business leaders, including Member of the AG Board, Ian Robertson.
Free trade is important for international business. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars exports motor cars throughout the EU and imports a significant number of parts through the region.Free trade is important for international business. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars exports motor cars throughout the EU and imports a significant number of parts through the region.
For BMW Group, more than half of MINIs built and virtually all the engines and components made in the UK are exported to the EU, with over 150,000 new cars and many hundreds of thousands of parts imported from Europe each year.For BMW Group, more than half of MINIs built and virtually all the engines and components made in the UK are exported to the EU, with over 150,000 new cars and many hundreds of thousands of parts imported from Europe each year.
Tariff barriers would mean higher costs and higher prices and we cannot assume that the UK would be granted free trade with Europe from outside the EU.Tariff barriers would mean higher costs and higher prices and we cannot assume that the UK would be granted free trade with Europe from outside the EU.
When it comes to regulation, whether the UK remains inside the EU or leaves it, with Europe as the UK's largest export market by far, we would have to abide by European rules and regulations in any case.When it comes to regulation, whether the UK remains inside the EU or leaves it, with Europe as the UK's largest export market by far, we would have to abide by European rules and regulations in any case.
We believe it's much better to be sat at the table when regulations are set and have a hand in their creation, rather than simply having to accept them.We believe it's much better to be sat at the table when regulations are set and have a hand in their creation, rather than simply having to accept them.
Finally, we get a significant benefit from the easy movement of our people between the UK and Europe. This allows the rapid transfer of expert knowledge throughout the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group networks, building the skill level of our UK workforce.Finally, we get a significant benefit from the easy movement of our people between the UK and Europe. This allows the rapid transfer of expert knowledge throughout the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group networks, building the skill level of our UK workforce.
Our employment base could also be affected, with skilled men and women from most EU countries included in the 30 nationalities currently represented at the Home of Rolls-Royce here at Goodwood.Our employment base could also be affected, with skilled men and women from most EU countries included in the 30 nationalities currently represented at the Home of Rolls-Royce here at Goodwood.
The debate around this subject will undoubtedly continue to build as we near the UK referendum on 23 June 2016.The debate around this subject will undoubtedly continue to build as we near the UK referendum on 23 June 2016.