MPs urged to ‘alleviate strains’ of Brexit on small businesses by dishing out export vouchers

MINISTERS have been urged to give small firms a pre-Brexit boost by giving them vouchers to help them sell their good abroad.

The Federation of Small Businesses said export vouchers worth up to £3,000 would help small firms deal with costs such as investments in translation services, additional market research, and finding new clients through overseas trade fairs.

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They said its research suggested that more than half of smaller exporters to the EU believe their business continuity and growth will be negatively affected by a no-deal Brexit on October 31.

FSB chairman Mike Cherry said: “Exporting is a critical part of the British economy, especially to small firms hoping to expand and grow their businesses, but in order to succeed, it’s time that the Government stepped in and gave small firms

the help that they need in order to realise their exporting ambitions.

“The introduction of export vouchers up to the value of £3,000 will alleviate some of the strains that exporting firms are facing.

“Small businesses are being made to wait for the updated publication of the Government’s revised UK tariff schedule that would apply in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario, which must be published as a matter of urgency.

“The continued uncertainty is harming small firms’ ability to plan and prepare for the future with 40% of small business exporters saying that the uncertainty has had a negative impact on their future exporting ambitions.

“Around 21% of small firms currently export, but with additional assistance from the Government, we believe those numbers could double.”

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