EMPLOYERS in the North-East have called for a public vote on the Brexit deal that is on the table before it is finalised.

The call came at the first regional launch of the Business for a People’s Vote campaign, in Newcastle, and mirrors the comments of a group of six North-East MPs, who voiced their concerns last month.

Julie Elliott, (Sunderland Central), Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South), Anna Turley (Redcar), Paul Williams (Stockton South) and Phil Wilson (Sedgefield)

wrote to The Northern Echo, on November 13, stating: “We believe, once the deal is known, people should have the right to think again in a People’s Vote.”

Those attending regional business campaign launch claim the consequences of Brexit on working people and their families will be felt for decades to come, and they backed a public vote on the issue.

A survey of business leaders carried out by YouGov shows support for a vote on the final Brexit deal is growing at all levels of the business community, with 57-per cent backing a vote on the final Brexit deal.

They claim the political declaration about the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU will not provide sufficient access to the country’s biggest market, won’t be legally binding and will be “ambiguous”.

Speaking at the launch, Richard Swart, Global Sales Director of Berger Group Europe and honorary Vice President of the North-East England Chamber of Commerce said: “As manufacturers we need frictionless trade with the EU.

“Mrs May’s deal doesn’t guarantee that, and, will turn us into rule-takers rather than rule-makers.”

Among the group’s concerns are the imposition of tariffs and some skills shortages