• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday May 19 2025

Business and political leaders welcome new EU deal

West business leaders have welcomed Britain’s new deal with the EU, which they say will unlock jobs and investment.

Nearly nine years after it voted to leave the EU, Britain reached a wide-ranging agreement with the bloc including a new defence pact, fewer restrictions on British food exporters and visitors, and a new fishing agreement.

Prime minister Keir Starmer, who backed remaining in the EU during the Brexit referendum, heralded “a new era in our relationship”.

Responding to the deal James Monk, commercial director at Business West, said: “The food and drink sector is an integral part of the South West economy, so today’s announcement offers some welcome news, particularly around the reduction of checks and red tape.

“We will be monitoring the details of the summit outcomes closely, as experience tells us that implementation is often where the real challenges lie.”

Business West is part of the British Chambers of Commerce, whose director general Shevaun Haviland said: “Today’s summit marks a turning point in UK/EU relations which puts our trade relationship at the forefront of our partnership going forward.

“For four years, businesses have fought hard to sustain sales to the EU in the face of a rising tide of costs and paperwork which has severely dented their competitiveness.

“A permanent deal to remove unnecessary checks on food and drink exports in both directions is a huge boost; it will cut costs, reduce waste and increase sales.

“It was also essential that a defence and security pact was agreed to involve UK defence companies in wider projects to safeguard our democracies. It is vital now that work starts on agreeing access to joint procurement funding.

“Making quick progress on the use of E-gates at passport control will make life easier for businesspeople who cross EU borders on a regular basis and also boost UK tourism.

“This summit also saw encouraging movement on other issues that have long been a thorn in the side of many firms. A commitment to focus on securing a youth mobility scheme and linking our emission trading schemes will make life simpler and less costly for many businesses.

“The BCC had seven key asks of Government going into these negotiations, which were based on four years of research and analysis involving thousands of firms.

“Today’s deal is good news on five of those. But we must not stop here, this agreement must be the foundation on which we aspire to build a much stronger business relationship going forward. That can only be of benefit to all our economies.”

West of England mayor Helen Godwin (pictured) said the deal will “unlock more jobs for the West of England and strengthen exports for our farmers and firms.”

The mayor, started her day at a Downing Street reception for business leaders this morning, before heading to Leeds to promote the region at a major investment conference.

She said she particularly welcomed developing plans for a new youth mobility scheme with European countries.

“As someone lucky enough to study in Europe through the Erasmus scheme, as the first person in my family to go to university, I remain deeply grateful for a year spent immersing myself in another culture,” said the mayor.

“I know first-hand just how valuable similar opportunities could be for more young people from the West. It will be the chance of a lifetime for them, and for us – when they bring back all that they learn.

“Many EU citizens have settled status in cities like Bristol and Bath. I’m proud of their contribution to life here and that they now call our region home.

“Though the youth mobility scheme will be time limited, anyone who sees the Best of the West will be unable to resist returning to visit our countryside, towns, villages, and cities, particularly after forming lifelong friendships and connections.

“I hope that we will provide the warmest of welcomes and, I’m sure, through this scheme, help spread the West Country burr across Europe.”

According to the Office of National Statistics, the West of England has the highest proportion of people aged between 15 and 40 years old of any combined authority area in the country.

The West of England voted slightly in favour of leaving the EU when the referendum was held in 2016 (1.6 million to 1.5 million). However, Bath voted overwhelmingly for remain (60,000 votes to 43,000), as did Bristol (141,000 to 87,000). Swindon voters backed leave (61,000 to 51,000) as did Wiltshire voters (151,000 to 137,000).

Pictured: A post-Brexit mural in Dover by Bristol artist Banksy. Image by Dunk published under Creative Commons licence