Brexit turmoil is hitting businesses in the South West making it difficult for them to plan and leaving them feeling abandoned by the Government, a new report says.
Research from the University of Plymouth shows Brexit uncertainly has resulted in businesses being reluctant to plan for growth and feeling uncertain about their futures.
The study reveals the continued lack of national clarity over Brexit – and in particular the prospect of a “no deal” departure – is causing great uncertainty among the region’s businesses and making difficult for them to find potential trading partners.
Businesses also complain that a dearth of targeted guidance and support from central Government is exacerbating uncertainty, particularly for small businesses in the South West.
However, the report reveals some sectors, such as professional services, have been largely insulated from negative impacts and certain groups, including tourism and hospitality, are more positive about the potential opportunities Brexit may bring.
But, there remains general scepticism over the ability of the 海角视频 to benefit from any opportunities for new trading relationships that may emerge post Brexit, and a call for proactive strategies to develop an understanding of potential trading partners and the need for long-term relationships.
Many of the businesses spoken to by university researchers also feared Brexit would exacerbate existing economic and social problems, with significant concerns over its impact on the labour market and workforce relations.
The report - written by Professor Richard Saundry, Associate Lecturer Michele Fox and Dr Patrick Holden - makes some recommendations, including:
Most Read
The 海角视频 needs to develop a more proactive approach to international trade by providing the negotiating skills, regional knowledge, a culture of openness and cultural know-how that will help 海角视频 business forge positive relationships with international customers and partners.
Advice and guidance over Brexit needs to be much more targeted and precise.
Dialogue between public, private, third sector and community organisations in the South West needs to be encouraged and closer understandings developed.
Organisations need to place social impact and good work at the centre of their concerns while large employers can act as mentors and exemplars within their communities and through their supply chains.
Organisations need to prioritise the development of negotiation skills and other people-related capabilities which will help businesses build positive relationships with new customers and clients, underpin more collaborative relationships between key stakeholders, and deepen employee engagement and productivity.
Dr Holden, associate professor (reader) in international relations and an expert in the workings of the European Union, said: “Brexit has been dominating the national agenda for more than three years, but the uncertainty on almost every level is obviously very much still in evidence.
“It is no surprise to find that being mirrored within the South West, but our research has shown the extent to which it is impacting on organisations’ future plans, aspirations and workforces.
Don’t miss
“The impact of this could be significant, not just for individual businesses and sectors, but also for the region and those living and working within it.
Brexit news...
“Therefore, if the South West is to deal with the immediate challenge of Brexit and go on to prosper in the longer term, economic, civil society and political institutions need to communicate frankly with each other and cooperate.”
The university’s research was carried out via a series of interviews and focus groups. Over several months, researchers spoke to business, local government and charity leaders, covering industries from transport to tourism, fishing to farming.
The hope was that having a clearer understanding of the challenges could help to provide a collective means of helping to overcome some of the specific issues being faced.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
In late 2018, Dr Holden said the risks of a “no deal” Brexit to a city such as Plymouth are direct, as in risks to city businesses, and indirect, stemming from risks to the overall 海角视频 economy, which will spill over to Plymouth.
But he highlighted how Plymouth was ranked number two in the country in terms of the share of its exports going to the EU by the Centre for Cities.
But he stressed: “This does not measure how dependent Plymouth is on its exports so this doesn’t mean it’s most dependent on the EU overall, somewhere like Sunderland (with its dependence on the car industry) would be much more so.”