According to a survey carried out by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in partnership with other West Midlands Chambers, local businesses support the UK’s continued membership of the European Union. The latest quarterly EU Business Barometer, which questioned more than 1,000 businesses from across the region, says 58% of them believe that withdrawal from the EU would have a negative economic impact on the UK.

However, there is growing support for EU reform: 54% believe that remaining in Europe with powers repatriated to the UK would have a positive impact (up from 50% in the previous quarter).

Meanwhile, 40% of businesses believe that further integration into the EU would be negative, while 22% think it would be economically positive. In addition, 56% of small businesses (those with up to 19 employees) see withdrawal as a negative option.

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said the survey reveals that local businesses see potential withdrawal from the EU as damaging to the UK economy. “The EU remains a crucial trading partner for the UK, and it is important that Britain retains access to the Single Market, so that local businesses can expand into Europe without having to deal with trade barriers. We urge the Government to heed our members’ opinion on this issue and avoid moving the UK closer to the EU ‘exit door’.”