Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement in the House of Commons setting out next steps on Brexit, Edwin Morgan, Interim Director General of the Institute of Directors, said:

“The Prime Minister is right to put her cards on the table for what happens if she fails to get approval for a withdrawal deal by 12 March. Parliament must feel and accept the weight of responsibility that is on their shoulders. The message from our members is clear, nearly 80% would choose to avoid a no-deal outcome. Too much information about that scenario is still missing – including from our own Government – for firms to be ready in a few short weeks.

“Seeing the impasse continue may not be comfortable for businesses, but a disorderly exit could bring unbearable disruption for firms in sectors from farming to finance, manufacturing to business services, across the UK. It is a long time since we have been in a world of easy choices, and while an extension is not an end in itself, it may become a necessity to achieve an orderly exit.”