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Companies want early wins to set the right tone for trade talks.

Businesses across Britain are 100% committed to making a success of Brexit – and getting off to a good start in the negotiations will be vital in getting the best deal.

Therefore companies want some early wins to create momentum towards an agreement, assisting them and their customers to maintain the confidence that has helped the UK economy beat expectations since the Referendum.

The Prime Minister is expected to trigger Article 50 – the process by which the UK will leave the European Union – in a few hours’ time.

Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:

“Business has three suggestions to help set a constructive tone for the talks – after all it’s in everyone’s interests to get the best deal.

“Firstly, we want to see certainty for EU workers here and UK citizens overseas.

“Secondly, discussing new trading arrangements should go hand-in-hand with negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.

“And we need both sides to commit to interim arrangements if a deal is not possible inside two years.  

“Above all, UK companies need to know as soon as possible about the UK’s future trading relationships. That’s why the next six months are crucial."

The CBI has warned of the dangers of a ‘no deal’ scenario, which would open a Pandora’s Box of economic consequences for UK businesses, leading to higher costs and delays affecting jobs and pay.