Manufacturers demand government provide clarity on post-Brexit trade

The UK’s biggest manufacturing lobby groups are calling for more clarity as efforts to establish a new post-Brexit trading relationship gather pace. Yesterday, ahead of Britain’s departure from the EU on Friday, representatives of business organisations met the senior cabinet minister Michael Gove to express their concerns. It’s clear that government are serious about engaging with industry, said the chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, Ian Wright. It was constructive and encouraging, said another participant in the meeting, but the detail is still being established. So what has the government said it wants? We want to have as close as possible a relationship with the EU – and the approach we want to take is built on the relationship that they have with Canada, Mr Gove said during early stage negotiations.