Small Welsh Firms sign letter backing a Vote to Leave the EU

An open letter signed by more than 60 small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales urges Britons to seize the opportunity on Thursday and Vote to Leave the European Union.

Vote Leave campaigners are highlighting the impact that EU membership has on small businesses, who make up 99% of all UK firms.

The Leader of the House of Commons, Chris Grayling MP is visiting North Wales on Wednesday 22^nd June to highlight the economic case for a Vote to Leave, and will be in St Asaph to meet workers at a local business to hold a Q&A with undecided workers at the firm.

Mr Grayling argues that a Vote to Leave would free small firms from the “overwhelming” burden of red tape and EU regulations – which cost UK businesses £33 billion every year.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Grayling said:

“EU regulations cost UK businesses more than £30 billion* every year and whilst the largest firms can afford to take on that burden of regulation and red tape, the smallest firms in our country are being held back.

“Big corporations make up just 1% of all businesses in the UK, whilst small businesses employ over 15 million people in Britain, and there are thousands of people in Wales alone who rely on those businesses being able to grow and take on more staff.

“Sadly, whilst the cost of EU membership is paid by all firms, it is the smallest firms – most of whom don’t even export within the EU – who are being overwhelmed, without reaping the benefits of membership.

“That’s why more than sixty small Welsh firms have signed this letter, and it’s why many more across Wales are backing a vote to Leave the EU on Thursday.”

Leader of Vote Leave Cymru, David Jones MP, said:

“Small and medium-sized enterprises are by far the biggest part of the Welsh economy and employ the biggest part of the workforce in Wales.

“An overwhelming majority of them do not export, and yet they must all comply with the same regulations that affect huge multinationals costing them time and money.

“Outside of the EU we will be able to regulate more sensibly, freeing small firms to invest more energy in developing their businesses and to create more employment in Wales.”

The letter, signed by 62 firms from across Wales says:

“There are many reasons why we are convinced that Wales and the whole of the United Kingdom will flourish outside the EU. We are a great country, we are the fifth largest economy in the world and last year our economy grew faster than any other major advanced economy other than America.

“We believe that both Britain and Wales are exceptional because of our history, values and institutions. It is the talents and hard work of everyone on these islands that made this country strong and prosperous – not our decades long membership of the EU.

“As the EU’s own research shows, if we vote to leave we can forge our own trade deals to create 300,000 jobs across the country, including around 10,000 in Wales. There is a huge world of promise and prosperity out there if we take this opportunity to take back control.”