{"id":239554,"date":"2025-07-05T07:44:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T07:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/239554\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T07:44:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T07:44:11","slug":"two-thirds-of-small-businesses-would-now-vote-remain-new-analysis-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/239554\/","title":{"rendered":"Two-thirds of small businesses would now vote remain \u2013 new analysis finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many small businesses have struggled to adapt to new customs checks paperwork, and regulatory requirements, which have cost them time, money, and market competitiveness.<\/p>\n

\"EU\"<\/p>\n

After years of post-Brexit disruption, two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) say they would now vote to remain in the EU, according to a new study by research agency, Critical Research. The survey of over 500 importers and exporters found that 66 percent would back Remain, up from 53 percent in the 2016 referendum. 29 percent would now vote to leave, down from 32 percent.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The shift echoes the small business frustration with the increased bureaucracy and trade barriers that have followed Britain\u2019s departure from the EU. Many small firms have struggled to adapt to new customs checks paperwork, and regulatory requirements, which have cost them time, money, and market competitiveness.<\/p>\n

A 2022 report<\/a> by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) described businesses as \u201cbanging their heads against the wall\u201d over Brexit red tape. It confirmed that companies were wrestling with EU trading rules. At the same time, the Centre for European Reform estimated Brexit has cut UK trade by around 7 percent.<\/p>\n

Critical Research\u2019s analysis confirms<\/a> that several years later, similar concerns persist. It found 65 percent of businesses say post-Brexit regulations have significantly reduced their profits, and 56 percent report being less competitive globally.<\/p>\n

Finance firm Bibby Financial Services commented that the recent reset talks between Keir Starmer and the EU may offer some relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe recent agreement secured with the EU, which seeks to reduce the red tape and increase the flow of trade, won\u2019t mean a return to the single market but may go some way to addressing the administrative and cost burden for\u00a0business. Time will tell,\u201d read the company\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

The same report showed that importers or exporters looking for new partners this year were currently considering China and the US as their top target markets.<\/p>\n

Responding to Critical Research\u2019s analysis, readers didn\u2019t mince their words:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s after a third of UK businesses that used to trade with the EU were wiped out by Brexit red tape in the first two years after we left the EU. I\u2019m sure they would vote \u2018remain\u2019 too if they still existed,\u201d was one comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf only someone had told them about the damage leaving the EU would do before we left eh? The greatest act of self-harm in history\u2026 until the same fools vote for Reform,\u201d was another.<\/p>\n


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