The UK’s top business leader has called on firms to “turn up the volume” in making the case for continued EU membership.

Read here: 'UK business chief urges Yes side to start campaigning'

Exclusive: British Influence, Business for New Europe and the European Movement will join forces to create an umbrella 'Yes to Europe' group.

Read here: 'EU referendum: Pro-European campaign unites to fight "No" camp'

The campaign to keep Britain in Europe will be new and different to what has gone before, according to Business for New Europe. Whatever organisation emerges will not be simply an amalgamation of pro-European groups, and will focus on all there arguments for remaining in the EU, not just the business case.

BNE was commenting in response to the Independent exclusive, which talked of pro-EU organisations "joining forces" to set up the "In" campaign.

Lucy Thomas, Campaign Director of Business for New Europe, said: 

"Of course all pro-European organisations have been thinking about this referendum for a long while, but any campaign will be something new and different rather than an amalgamation of existing groups.

"The benefits of remaining in should be made by a new campaign with a range of surprising and different people from all walks of life. While the economic case is clearly important, this has to be about the value to everybody across the UK and not a top-down message perceived to come only from politicians and the 'establishment'."

"It is also too early to speculate about any name of a campaign - there is no clarity on any Yes/No question until the Bill has gone through Parliament."

Another major company has spoken out about how vital Britain's EU membership is to their business. Speaking about the benefits of Europe to Wales and the rest of the UK, President of Airbus, Paul Kahn will say that everything Airbus manufactures in Wales and the rest of UK from research to investment and employees "all depend on European industrial organisation and integration.”

Airbus employ 16,000 people across the UK and are the second largest private sector employer in Wales.

Campaign director of Business for New Europe, Lucy Thomas, said:

"Airbus are a major British employer with 16,000 staff across the UK. It is clear that their major investment is largely linked to our EU membership. There is growing momentum as a range of companies are starting to speak out for the benefits of Britain's future in Europe.

"They all agree that Europe needs reform, but this is clearly best achieved by remaining in and making the case with a strong voice."

The UK could face a decade of economic isolation while dealing with the aftermath of a potential Brexit, according to business groups.

Read here: 'UK facing "decade in economic wilderness" outside Europe'

“Sir Mike Rake is right that businesses must speak out about Britain’s future in Europe. We cannot leave it to the last minute as was the case in the Scottish referendum."
- Roland Rudd, Chairman of Business for New Europe

Business for New Europe, the business coalition advocating a positive case for reform in Europe, today echoed comments to be made by CBI President Sir Mike Rake, calling on businesses to speak out about the benefits of EU membership. They also urged businesses to speak out soon, rather than waiting until it could be too late.

Sir Mike Rake, who also sits on BNE’s advisory council, will emphasise that EU membership is in Britain’s national interest, and that the time is ripe for reform to push for completion of the single market, free trade and a capital markets union.

Roland Rudd, Chairman of Business for New Europe, said:

“Sir Mike Rake is right that businesses must speak out about Britain’s future in Europe. We cannot leave it to the last minute as was the case in the Scottish referendum. The overwhelming majority of chief executives and chairmen across business believe that Britain’s future is in the European Union.

“In the last week we have heard from a range of companies of all size explaining how a UK exit from the EU could adversely affect them, from easyJet to Deutsche Bank and Innocent Drinks. Brexit would be seriously damage Britain’s economy.”

“Minimising EU regulations is exactly what British businesses want. The UK has been pushing for a reduction in red tape and this demonstrates how that is taking shape.”
- Lucy Thomas, Campaign Director of Business for New Europe

The UK’s drive to cut EU red tape is having a clear impact, as the European Commission has outlined a major shake-up of EU rules. Business for New Europe, the pro-European business campaign welcomed the plans which will allow SMEs to feed directly into EU policy-making and will allow open and public scrutiny of proposed rules and far more rigorous impact assessments.

Lucy Thomas, Campaign Director of Business for New Europe, said:

“Here is a clear example of the new Commission Vice President shaking-up how things are done. For the first time ever small and medium-sized business will be able to input directly into EU decision-making.

“There is still some way to go to make the EU work better for business, but this demonstrates that progress is being made.
 

"Minimising EU regulations is exactly what British businesses want. The UK has been pushing for a reduction in red tape and this demonstrates how that is taking shape.”

British business must speak out early in favour of a reformed European Union as a referendum on UK membership of the bloc looms, according to the outgoing president of the CBI, the employers' organisation.

Read here:

Deutsche Bank last night poured fuel on the increasingly fiery debate about Britain’s role in the European Union by setting up a working group to look at the impact of a “Brexit”.

Read here: 'Deutsche Bank braces itself for British EU exit'