The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published the two-dozen questions being asked on Brexit by businesses across the UK.

It says the Government has managed to make limited progress on just two of the 23 issues where “clarity is urgently needed” so that businesses can plan their trade following the UK’s departure from the EU.

Adam Marshall, BCC director general, said: “Over the past two years, businesses have been patient.

“We have supported the Government’s drive to seek the best possible deal for the UK economy. We have given time, expertise and real-world experience to support hard-pressed civil service negotiators.

“We have convened all across the UK to ensure that every business community’s Brexit concerns can be heard by elected representatives and officials.

“Now, with the time running out ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU, business patience is reaching breaking point.

“With less than nine months go to until Brexit day, we are little closer to the answers businesses need than we were the day after the referendum.”

To date, businesses have had some assurances on the status of EU nationals in the UK workforce and on the industrial standards regime.

Some of the questions from the 21 remaining the BCC wants clarity on:

  • On tax, whether a business will need to pay VAT on goods at point of import, and will services firms need to be registered in every EU Members State where it has clients
  • On tariffs, what Rules of Origin firms will have to comply with to receive preferential tariff rates
  • On customs, whether goods will be subject to new procedures, and delayed at border checkpoints
  • On regulation, whether checks on goods conducted in the UK will be recognised by the EU
  • On mobility, whether businesses will be able to transfer staff between the EU and the UK using the same processes as currently
  • On R&D projects, whether UK businesses will be able to participate in EU projects after 2020