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

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

Socios Corporativos

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