Brexit Impact Report 2025 - European Movement UK
EU-UK Summit: 19 May 2025

Brexit Impact Report 2025

In their own words: Brexit's impact on UK businesses

Surveying 1,100+ UK businesses, this report highlights Brexit's toll on SMEs—rising costs, less competitiveness, and shrinking EU access. The EU-UK summit on 19 May 2025 is a key moment for change.

Business Impact

Brexit's Lasting Impact on UK Businesses

European Movement UK has engaged directly with over 1,100 businesses from across the country to produce this new, updated report which outlines the sustained and worsening blow that Brexit has delivered to the UK economy, one that is especially pronounced for the small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of our commercial and industrial landscape.

The report paints a picture of increased costs, reduced competitiveness, shrinking access to European markets, and a growing sense of frustration at the lack of political recognition for the challenges they face.

This is not just about trade figures or regulatory red tape, it is about livelihoods, communities, and the future prosperity of the UK. And it is a story that demands attention.

What businesses told us

Paws Pet Transport

"As soon as the final agreement was in place, my business was affected overnight. Veterinary licenses were voided, and border control became chaotic, collapsing our pet transport operations."

Paws Pet Transport
Harrogate, Yorkshire
Apparel Studio

"Post-referendum, our earnings halved due to 12% tariffs on imports and exports, forcing us to move manufacturing abroad and struggle with quality."

Apparel Studio
Stockport, Greater Manchester
International House Bristol

"Brexit forced us to axe language programs and internships, halving our revenue as we couldn't employ international teachers or access European students."

International House Bristol
Bristol, South-West England
Nova Dog Chews Ltd

"Exporting to the EU became costly with new health certificates and paperwork, forcing us to open a base in France and incur £1,000 weekly in extra costs."

Nova Dog Chews Ltd
Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland

Key Recommendations

Repairing Brexit's Damage: Improving EU trade ties is vital, with the 19 May 2025 summit as a key opportunity.

Key Recommendations:
  • Rejoin Customs Union & Single Market.
  • Veterinary/SPS agreement to cut border checks.
  • Ease red tape for professionals.
  • Youth mobility scheme.
  • Energy & net zero collaboration.

Key Findings

This survey reveals the widespread and ongoing strain Brexit has placed on British businesses. Across sectors and regions, companies report rising costs, disrupted supply chains, loss of EU-based customers, and new barriers to trade, recruitment, and growth.

Many have been forced to restructure, shift operations abroad, or reduce services just to stay afloat. Business leaders also expressed deep scepticism about recent government efforts to support growth, with concerns that domestic policy decisions have compounded the fallout from leaving the EU.

Yet amid the frustration, there's a clear appetite for solutions, with strong support for closer cooperation with Europe, practical fixes to visa and export rules, and renewed access to the Single Market.

72.8%
Negatively impacted by Brexit
96.4%
Say Brexit harmed communities
78.6%
Pessimistic about growth
98.2%
Support rejoining Single Market

Take Action

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