Prime Minister Theresa May today (March 29) triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, with a letter informing the European Council of Britain’s intention to leave the European Union, beginning Britain’s formal exit from the EU.
A formal process of negotiations on future trade relations between the UK and EU countries will now follow; set to end (on the current timetable) with the UK leaving the EU at midnight on March 29, 2019.
Commenting on today’s events Peter Richardson, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, (pictured) said: “As we enter Brexit negotiations, D2N2 and its fellow LEPs across the country will be urging Government to strike the best deal for businesses.
“The UK economy’s success outside the EU will be driven by a strong business base, which will convince the rest of the world to continue trade links here and attract new inward investment.
“During the Brexit negotiations period businesses in our area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, can be confident in the ongoing support of the D2N2 LEP and its Growth Hub’s services, to ensure the continuing growth of our strong regional economy.”