FOLLOWING Article 50 small businesses are calling out for clarity on how this will impact how they run their business.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) members who export and import now need confidence that they will still be able to trade on the same terms.

Those who employ non-UK EU citizens in their workforce will want early assurance they will remain, and that hiring new staff will not mean a new system with extra costs and burdens.

The Government must push for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU based on ease and cost, and then support small firms to take advantage of new trade agreements with priority markets around the world.

Small business exporters tell us that the EU single market is still their top market of choice, but firms are also keen to focus on the US, China, Australia and Canada.

One third of exporting small businesses have told us they would be genuinely deterred from trading with the EU if a tariff of between two to four per cent was imposed on trade between the UK and EU.

Access to the right skills at the right time is crucial for the success of a small business.

A fifth of FSB members with staff employ non-UK EU citizens, workers who are vital to the UK economy.

The right to remain for these non-UK EU citizens must be guaranteed at the earliest opportunity.

It’s vital that throughout the Brexit negotiations the small business voice is not lost and that the final agreement is positive for British business.

  • Brian Woods is West Sussex chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses