Theresa May will today ask the small business community about their views on the UK’s negotiations to exit the European Union.
The new prime minister will meet representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and trade associations in Downing Street.
They will discuss how the UK Government can help SMEs – those with under 250 employees – seize new opportunities post-Brexit, particularly relating to exports.
The roundtable comes in the same week as the first meeting of the new cabinet committee focused on the economy and industrial strategy, chaired by the prime minister.
Speaking before the event, Mrs May described SMEs as “the backbone of our country”.
The former home secretary added: “I want to build an economy that works for all, and that means working with, and listening to, smaller firms.
“The priorities I have set: a more productive, skilled workforce; an economy balanced across the UK and open to new opportunities, can only be achieved if we listen to these businesses.
“They are a fundamental part of my vision of building a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
“I also want those firms, across all the sectors of our economy, to be able to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Brexit, such as exporting to new destinations.
“I’ll be asking them for their views on how we get our whole economy firing ahead of Brexit.”
Those attending the meeting include the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce, as well as individual small business representatives.