Beyond Brexit: UK Business Group Demands a New Era of Cooperation with the EU

A prominent UK business lobbying group, the CBI, is advocating for a significant reset in UK-EU relations, emphasizing the need to move past Brexit divisions. In anticipation of an upcoming EU-UK summit on May 19, the CBI released a report urging both parties to take practical steps to enhance cooperation in areas such as travel, energy, climate, and defense. The organization stresses that the current arrangement is now ”no longer fit for purpose” amid increasing geopolitical threats and economic volatility.

The report highlights the importance of the EU as the UK’s largest trading partner and the UK government’s interest in negotiating a new post-Brexit deal. The CBI proposes several measures to facilitate cross-border work, including restoring the recognition of professional qualifications and reviving youth mobility schemes, which would allow young people to study and work across borders.

The government is seeking a defense deal and improvements to the trading relationship with the EU, including access to joint defense procurement projects and loans for British defense firms. Notably, the EU has expressed interest in a youth mobility scheme that would ease travel and work restrictions for young people, a concept the UK previously resisted but is now reconsidering.

The call for cooperation reflects insights from over 400 UK companies and aligns with objectives outlined by BusinessEurope, the EU’s business lobby. Major companies like Airbus and industry groups such as Energy UK support these initiatives, recognizing that a stronger EU-UK partnership can foster economic growth and resilience.

CBI director-general Rain Newton-Smith remarked, “The world has moved on—and so must the UK-EU relationship. This is about growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. Business is ready to play its part.” However, the UK government maintains that it will not rejoin the EU or its single market and customs union, despite polls indicating some public support for rejoining under freedom of movement agreements.