Construction leaders amongst business bosses saying yes to the EU

Leading figures from the construction, property and infrastructure sector are among 200 business leaders who have called for the country to stay in the European Union in a letter to The Times today.

In the letter, around 200 business chiefs employing more than 1.2 million people argued that leaving the EU would put the economy at risk. Underlining their concerns, the pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar for seven years yesterday as uncertainty intensified about the possible outcome of the in-out poll in June.

Mace, Atkins, Babcock, British Land, Canary Wharf Group, Serco, Hammerson, Gatwick, Heathrow, Carillon and Arup were amongst the companies whose leaders signed the letter to The Times which stated unequivocally: “We believe that Britain is better off staying in a reformed European Union”. 

Arguing that the prime minister had secured a commitment from the EU to reduce the burden of regulation, deepen the single market and to sign off crucial international trade deals, the high profile group of chief executives, chairmen and senior directors said that business needed unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs. 

“We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment, threaten jobs and put the economy at risk. Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the EU,” they said.

The business leaders’ letter fires the opening salvo in what is sure to be an intensive period of campaigning and debate ahead of the EU referendum on 23 June.