The EURIS Taskforce, a body of trade organisations representing UK manufacturing worth £148 billion in turnover, is calling for an extension to Article 50 following the result of last night’s Brexit vote.

EURIS is concerned that the outcome of the vote increases the chances of a no-deal Brexit, which would cause severe damage to UK manufacturing and risk huge job losses as the impact on trade would be too hard to bear for many companies.

In order to mitigate the risk of a no-deal Brexit, EURIS is calling on the Government to request an extension to Article 50 for at least six months.

Dr Howard Porter, EURIS Chair said: “Following the vote to reject the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EURIS believes that in order to facilitate any of the viable political options that avoid a No-Deal Brexit, the UK Government should request an extension to Article 50. We believe this extension should be for at least six months, in order to allow sufficient time to find a positive solution to the current political stalemate on Brexit.”