MEP criticises CBI over Europe

The report published by the CBI is out of touch with reality, says MEP Paul Nuttall.

The document claims that British households benefit by up to £3,000 a year through being in the EU and concludes that there is no realistic alternative to EU membership.

"The view that leaving the EU would somehow mean a sudden end to trading with Europe is deeply flawed.

"The CBI does not consider the more realistic option that if we left the single market and freed ourselves from its red tape and politicised agenda we would still be able to continue to trade strongly with Europe on our own terms. Leaving the EU would not mean turning our back on Europe," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"The CBI are proponents of this skewed view that Britain can renegotiate terms with the EU to create a more streamlined relationship. That would have to involve treaty change but the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has ruled that out. Without treaty change there can be no significant renegotiation at all.

"We are far better off getting out of the EU and building a fresh relationship with our European neighbours. The Government and organisations like the CBI should be considering that rather than clinging to the vain hope that the EU project can be miraculously cured of its ills.

"And don't overlook the fact that a recent YouGov survey commissioned by Business for Britain, showed that almost half of CBI members polled said they felt the cost of red tape outweighed the benefits of EU membership."