BUSINESS leaders are calling for action on the future of EU nationals post-Brexit within the first 100 days of a new UK government being formed.
Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) says Britain’s exit from the EU is the key reason for the poll and that it will dominate the next Parliament.
It says it has championed business priorities throughout the campaign and is prepared to carry that on in the aftermath of the election, as the new government becomes involved in the complex negotiations surround Brexit.
SCC chief executive Liz Cameron said many Scottish businesses depended on EU nationals.
“Brexit is perhaps the main reason why the country is having to deal with this unplanned General Election,” she said. “It will be the paramount economic issue facing the next UK government and will dominate the activities of the next Parliament.
“As soon as a government is formed, it will have to get down to negotiations with the EU and, in doing so, it must seek to put the priorities of our businesses first.
“The most immediate priority for many businesses is the urgent need to secure absolute clarity on the long term futures of EU nationals in the workforce.
“A significant number of businesses in Scotland rely on the talents of EU nationals to keep the wheels of industry turning and that is why we are calling on the new government to take action to resolve this issue within its first 100 days.
“Giving these workers – and UK workers in the EU – security of employment and residency will help businesses to get on with the job of creating the wealth and opportunities that our country needs to make a success of Brexit.”
Cameron said there is also a need for Scottish businesses to have an input into the Brexit negotiations. She added: “We are also prioritising the need for Scottish businesses to have a direct route into influencing the negotiation process between the UK and the EU.
“During the General Election campaign, we have again heard much about the government’s plans for ‘tough negotiation’. There is a place for this, but if the government is to secure a deal that delivers for British business, then our negotiators need to be at least as smart as they are tough. Scotland has a wealth of experienced businesspeople with the knowledge and skills to play a key role in this process and the next UK government must set out a route to enable our trade experts to have a voice in the negotiations.” Cameron added that the EU is of great importance to Scotland and that SCC has stressed the need for access to the single market at the lowest possible cost to business. She said: “The EU remains a vitally important market and this is particularly true as we look to grow the number of Scottish businesses that are exporting. The EU is a large nearby market with which the UK has a high degree of regulatory convergence and has long been a first-choice destination for new exporters.
“That is why the next government must pursue a trade deal with the EU that ensures access to the single market with an absolute minimum of financial tariff barriers and continued low non-tariff barriers.
“Trade deals with the rest of the world will come but may take time, therefore many Scottish businesses will continue to prioritise UK and EU trade. How the next government sets out its stall on Brexit negotiations will be telling, and business must be at the centre of it.”
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