Businesses hear case to leave the EU

Businesses debated the potential positive and negative effects the benefits of leaving the European Union.

Mr Nigel Baxter, the regional chairman for Businesses for Britain spoke to members of Newark Business Club at the Everyday Champions Centre on Friday morning.

"Small and medium sized enterprises like yourselves are hugely affected by the EU. You create jobs and deliver real quality through your businesses," he said.

"We want to keep businesses building and developing and not have decisions from the EU dictate how they are able to operate.

"The multi-national companies like the investment banks who are coming out in favour of staying are only interested in profit margins."

He said he was confident that business would not be less willing to work with companies if they left the European Union.

"This isn't a one-sided argument. Both sides have their best interests to ensure the economy continues to build and grow," he said.

"Businesses deal with other businesses - not necessarily country-to-country."

He said the United Kingdom paid the equivalent of £350m into the EU every week and said he believed it could rise in the future.

However, these figures were disputed by Mr Graham Keal, of Keal Media, who said: "It doesn't take into consideration the rebate we receive.

"The money that flows back into the country helped pay for the (Nottingham) tram extension which I worked on."

"The £350m figure is hugely inaccurate but it is trotted out time-and-time again."

Mr Myles Todd-Watson, of the independent retailers group Totally Locally Newark, expressed concerns about the lack of free trade agreements the UK if a decision to leave is made.

He said that if the country did decide to leave the EU it could take years before trade deals are agreed with the UK independently.

A representative from the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, spoke to members last month about the benefits of remaining in the EU.

She had argued that none of the forecasts that had been conducted showed a positive outcome for the country if we voted to leave.

Job opportunities which impacted positively on the region, for example the EU funded tram extension in Nottingham, were also mentioned.