Noticias de la Cámara

Letter from the British Chamber to British Ambassador to Spain regarding the negotiation of the UK's exit from the EU

22/01/2019 bccs_2015_35_1

Dear Simon,

As you know our Chamber has represented the interests of bilateral trade between Spain and the United Kingdom for over 110 years. Our 300 members include some of the largest foreign investors in the UK economy and FTSE-listed companies with strong interests in Spain, as well as many exporters in both nations. This amounts to billions of pounds in trade and hundreds of thousands of jobs, and I write to you today to express the level of concern among those companies regarding the current status of the UK’s plans to leave the European Union.

I am sure that you will agree that the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain has been a collaborative and constructive partner of the Embassy and the government that it represents during the years of the negotiation. We were not in favour of Brexit but we accepted the results of the Referendum and we have supported negotiation of the best possible deal at every opportunity. Now that the agreed deal has not been ratified by Parliament, it is clear that something needs to change urgently.

Leaving the EU without a deal would cause unimaginable difficulties for our member companies with clear, severely negative impacts for society in both the UK and Spain. This scenario being a potential reality within a few weeks is naturally affecting investment decisions.

In order to agree a deal it is clear to our members that the government must reconsider the red lines that it drew as a consequence of its interpretation of the public’s motives for the vote to leave the EU. That would offer the possibility of remaining in a close economic relationship with the European Union, minimising the impact on jobs and wealth, while respecting the decision to leave the union. Alternatively, the government may prefer to refer the issue back to the people as a result of the parliamentary impasse. Those are the only two options available, since it has been made clear by the European Union and the British Parliament that a deal based on those red lines cannot be enacted. The strategy must change without delay.

We look forward to hearing of the government’s updated plans so that we can reassure our members regarding their future trading environment, and we remain at your service for any support that we can give.

Yours sincerely, 

Christopher Dottie
President
British Chamber of Commerce in Spain


Socios Patrón

  • Oxford University Press
  • CFP Energy
  • HSBC Bank
  • El Corte Inglés
  • Telefónica
  • Gleeds Ibérica
  • Mitie
  • Brico Depôt
  • Santander
  • Savills
  • JCB
  • Mondragon Corporación
  • EAE Business School
  • Sage
  • Plain Concepts
  • Canon
  • Selier Abogados
  • Arriva a DB Company
  • AstraZeneca
  • Pearson
  • Cuatrecasas
  • PwC
  • Iberdrola
  • GSK
  • Diageo
  • Hays España
  • Banco Sabadell

Socios Corporativos

  • Oak House School
  • Gilmar Real Estate
  • Kensington School
  • Brand Finance
  • IQS
  • Colt Technology Services
  • Globeducate British International School
  • Currencies Direct
  • Baker Tilly
  • Schiller International University
  • Brunswick Group
  • Adlanter
  • Indra Group
  • Safetykleen
  • Kreab Worldwide
  • Lightsource bp
  • Agencia de Innovación y Desarrollo de Andalucía IDEA
  • Haleon
  • MARCO Agency
  • Iberia Cards
  • Gamma
  • Schüco
  • Forvis Mazars
  • Trainline
  • Quantexa
  • Control Group
  • Value Retail
  • Barrilero & Asociados
  • Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA, Sucursal en España
  • Rentokil Initial
  • ACS
  • Spectrum IFA Group
  • TSL Projects Spain
  • UAL Awarding Body
  • H10 Hotels
  • HM International Patient
  • CMAC Group
  • Uhy Fay & Co
  • Ferrovial
  • Sacyr
  • AFI, Analistas Financieros Internacionales
  • Lowe Rental
  • PKF Attest
  • Croda Ibérica
  • Cognita Schools
  • ISP Schools
  • Roman
  • EGD Logistics
  • EY
  • Grupo Hospitalario HLA
  • Presstour
  • Holiday World Resort
  • Panorama Properties
  • Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
  • Cabrera Rodriguez ETL Global
  • A&O Shearman
  • Grant Thornton
  • Dukes Education
  • De Cotta McKenna y Santafé
  • ERM
  • Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía
  • PageGroup
  • Boult Wade Tennant
  • Barclays
  • Smith & Nephew
  • Segro Spain Management
  • Ayming España
  • Bunzl Distribution Spain
  • BT Global Services
  • Flutter
  • Arup
  • Aon España
  • David Lloyd
  • Menzies LLP
  • Araex Grands
  • Berkeley Energía
  • Derby Hotels Collection
  • British Council
  • Mazars
  • BDO
  • Vueling Airlines
  • Firefly
  • Cubico Sustainable Investments
  • CaixaBank
  • McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Málaga
  • Allergy Therapeutics Iberica