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British Chambers of Commerce calls for an EU rethink ahead of Burnham's summit as firms still grapple with Brexit red tape

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 November 2026 · last updated 3 November 2026.

Britain would bear the £450m annual cost of the fee-equalisation plan itself, officials say, with no contribution expected from the EU.
Britain would bear the £450m annual cost of the fee-equalisation plan itself, officials say, with no contribution expected from the EU.
A data graphic showing 73 per cent of under-35s backing EU membership, a figure former Labour leader Neil Kinnock called evidence of "continually growing support" that will only expand.
A data graphic showing 73 per cent of under-35s backing EU membership, a figure former Labour leader Neil Kinnock called evidence of "continually growing support" that will only expand.

A British Chambers of Commerce survey of around 1,500 firms found that customs paperwork and delays were cited as growth barriers by more than a third of respondents — a share that rose to 58% among manufacturers and 56% among exporters. Prime Minister Andy Burnham travels to Brussels on 20 November aiming to finalise deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme. BCC director general Shevaun Haviland warned that adapting to Brexit has not removed the burden of paperwork, delays and duplicated bureaucracy, and that standing still carries its own price.

The UK could reportedly spend up to £450m a year subsidising EU students' university fees as part of Burnham's reset offer.

The Russell Group warns that extending home-fee rates to EU students would leave the sector facing losses exceeding £500m.

The plan risks blowing another hole in already-fragile university finances.

MoreEvening StandardBusinesses still grappling with Brexit red tape and want change, says BCCThe IndependentBusinesses still struggling with red tape 10 years after Brexit, trade organisation saysiNewsBurnham’s latest Brexit plan threatens one of Britain’s great success storiesEconoTimesBCC Survey Finds Customs Barriers Complicate UK Firms' EU GrowthbritishchambersUK - EU Trade Relationship Needs To Change  - British Chambers of CommerceRiviera RadioUK businesses call for less Brexit red tape as EU trade barriers persist - Riviera Radio
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