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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Government asks big companies to sign letter backing Brexit strategy | Government asks big companies to sign letter backing Brexit strategy |
| (1 day later) | |
| Letter states ‘we believe this is a good time for employers to work with government’, a second embarrassing leak in 24 hours | |
| Rowena Mason Deputy political editor | |
| Wed 6 Sep 2017 17.24 BST | |
| Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 17.31 BST | |
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| No 10 has been asking major UK companies to sign a letter supporting its Brexit strategy, despite concerns in the corporate world about how immigration and trade will be affected. | No 10 has been asking major UK companies to sign a letter supporting its Brexit strategy, despite concerns in the corporate world about how immigration and trade will be affected. |
| The letter, first seen by Sky News, was circulated to some FTSE 100 chiefs and others leaders but it was soon leaked by a company furious that Downing Street wanted it to support a plan that would be damaging to the interests of businesses. | The letter, first seen by Sky News, was circulated to some FTSE 100 chiefs and others leaders but it was soon leaked by a company furious that Downing Street wanted it to support a plan that would be damaging to the interests of businesses. |
| It is the second embarrassing leak for the government in 24 hours after the Guardian published a confidential Home Office document detailing plans to deter EU immigrants after Brexit, which also prompted angry warnings from business that such an approach would be catastrophic. | It is the second embarrassing leak for the government in 24 hours after the Guardian published a confidential Home Office document detailing plans to deter EU immigrants after Brexit, which also prompted angry warnings from business that such an approach would be catastrophic. |
| The letter was orchestrated by Jimmy McLoughlin, a No 10 official and son of the Tory chairman, Patrick McLoughlin, and is believed to have been met with a frosty response from business leaders given the lack of input they have been given in the Brexit process. | The letter was orchestrated by Jimmy McLoughlin, a No 10 official and son of the Tory chairman, Patrick McLoughlin, and is believed to have been met with a frosty response from business leaders given the lack of input they have been given in the Brexit process. |
| The letter asked business leaders to say: “We all share an understanding that Brexit is happening, a commitment to ensure that we make a success of the outcome for the whole country, and a confidence that a global Britain has the potential to become one of the most productive economies of the 21st century.” | The letter asked business leaders to say: “We all share an understanding that Brexit is happening, a commitment to ensure that we make a success of the outcome for the whole country, and a confidence that a global Britain has the potential to become one of the most productive economies of the 21st century.” |
| It also asked them to express their support for the prospect of a transitional period after Brexit and the government’s EU withdrawal bill, saying: “We believe this is a good time for employers to work with government and parliament to make a success of Brexit and secure a bright future for our country.” | It also asked them to express their support for the prospect of a transitional period after Brexit and the government’s EU withdrawal bill, saying: “We believe this is a good time for employers to work with government and parliament to make a success of Brexit and secure a bright future for our country.” |
| It is not clear how many, if any, business leaders have signed the letter, which was meant to be returned by Friday for publication in a Sunday newspaper. | It is not clear how many, if any, business leaders have signed the letter, which was meant to be returned by Friday for publication in a Sunday newspaper. |
| But the Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, a supporter of the Open Britain campaign group, said the leak was a sign businesses were opposing the government’s hard Brexit plan. | But the Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, a supporter of the Open Britain campaign group, said the leak was a sign businesses were opposing the government’s hard Brexit plan. |
| “Just today, businesses in sectors ranging from farming to hospitality have reacted with fury to the government’s leaked plans to damage our economy by carrying out a draconian crackdown on immigration from the EU,” he said. | “Just today, businesses in sectors ranging from farming to hospitality have reacted with fury to the government’s leaked plans to damage our economy by carrying out a draconian crackdown on immigration from the EU,” he said. |
| “And UK businesses have been clear that they value our trade links with the European Union, and that leaving the single market and customs union will risk damaging our economy. | “And UK businesses have been clear that they value our trade links with the European Union, and that leaving the single market and customs union will risk damaging our economy. |
| “If the government wants a better reception from British business, they should end their hard Brexit rhetoric and focus on maintaining the economic benefits of EU membership as they have promised.” | “If the government wants a better reception from British business, they should end their hard Brexit rhetoric and focus on maintaining the economic benefits of EU membership as they have promised.” |
| No 10 declined to comment on the leaked letter or to say whether any business leaders had signed it. | No 10 declined to comment on the leaked letter or to say whether any business leaders had signed it. |
| But Theresa May’s spokesman said: “Business has an important voice in the conversation taking place over Brexit and we will continue to listen to them. One of our aims is to make sure we deliver a Brexit that is as smooth as possible for business.” | But Theresa May’s spokesman said: “Business has an important voice in the conversation taking place over Brexit and we will continue to listen to them. One of our aims is to make sure we deliver a Brexit that is as smooth as possible for business.” |
| Downing Street and the Treasury have increasingly been trying to reach out to businesses since the election, including hosting summits on Brexit and reinstating David Cameron’s business advisory group. | Downing Street and the Treasury have increasingly been trying to reach out to businesses since the election, including hosting summits on Brexit and reinstating David Cameron’s business advisory group. |
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