West Midlands CBI and Midlands TUC publish joint statement on the impact of the EU referendum vote o

3 July 2016

The West Midlands CBI and Midlands TUC have issued a joint statement on the role of the Government, business and trade unions in the coming weeks to minimise the impact on workers and the economy following the EU referendum.

Richard Butler, West Midlands CBI Regional Director and Lee Barron, Midlands TUC General Secretary:

"Following the EU referendum, it is essential that the Government does everything possible to secure jobs and investment, and to reassure workers worried about the potential implications for employment and social protections, as well as the impact on their working lives.

"This is not a job for the Government alone. It will require effort from businesses large and small, trade unions, the Westminster government and devolved areas, and a wide range of stakeholders at local and national level.

"As a matter of urgency, Government needs to act to allay the concerns of EU nationals living and working in the West Midlands, and UK citizens living and working in the EU.

"The West Midlands has a long and proud history of tolerance and inclusion and it is clear that the overwhelming majority of the West Midlands public – whether they voted to leave or remain ­- would be appalled by the reported upsurge in racially motivated incidents and hate crimes we have seen over the past few days. We urge employers, unions and others to do all they can to bring together our communities in what are uncertain times, making our workplaces a beacon of inclusion and tolerance.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the CBI: Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. The CBI’s corporate members together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of private sector-employees. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.

About the TUC: The TUC is the voice of Britain at work. Just as individual workers benefit by joining together in a union, so unions gain strength by acting together through the TUC. The TUC brings unions together to draw up common policies on issues that matter to people at work. It campaigns to raise the quality of working life and promote equality for all. It represents more than 5.8 million workers in 51 unions. Globally it is part of a union family with 180 million members in more than 160 countries. The unions range in size from Unite with 1.4 million members to small specialist unions with only a few hundred. Most unions are also affiliated to the Global Union Federation for their sector. More information at www.www.tuc.org.uk