Anti-EU group launches fight

The move comes amid warnings from businesses that the EU is making it harder for them to create jobs and that EU regulation is holding back their businesses.

Business for Britain North West wants to see fundamental change in the UK’s relationship with the EU and believes that politicians have given away too much control over our economy to EU politicians.

The North West regional council is headed by Preston-based John Kersey, managing director of Kersey Hairdressing and former chairman of the Institute of Directors in Lancashire.

Business for Britain is backing the Vote Leave campaign – which is campaigning to leave the EU.

New polling by YouGov of SMEs has found that North West businesses surveyed want to see real change in the UK’s relationship with the EU.

l Thirty per cent of smaller businesses surveyed from the North West think that the EU is making it harder for their business to employ people, compared to just 13 per cent that think it makes it easier.

l Twenty eight per cent of smaller businesses surveyed in the North West think that EU regulation hinders them, while 24 per cent feel it provides help.

John Kersey said: “More business leaders in the North West feel that the EU is hindering rather than helping them. EU rules are making it more difficult for us to expand and take on new staff.

“We’ve given away too much control over our economy to politicians in Brussels. I want to see powers come back so that we can make rules that are better suited to the needs of businesses in the North West.”