Businesses concerned about the potential negative impact of Brexit need more than “calm words” from ministers, a Labour MP has warned.
Huddersfield’s Barry Sheerman has called for an “emergency package” of support to be made available.
Mr Sheerman told the Business Secretary Sajid Javid that he met with members of the textile industry and education bosses in his Huddersfield constituency last Friday in the wake of the vote for the UK to leave the European Union.
Commons speaker John Bercow also joined the meeting at the Textile Centre of Excellence.
Mr Sheerman said such people are in need of help and support, not just rhetoric, from the Government as they try and figure out exactly what Brexit will mean for their respective industries.
But Mr Javid insisted the Government is working to assuage concerns.
Speaking during Business questions in the House of Commons, Mr Sheerman said the people he met with were “absolutely appalled” by the vote to leave the EU.
“Surely we should have more than the rather calm words this morning,” he said.
“There should be an emergency package to deal with the real concerns of the great exporters and innovators in this country.”
Mr Javid, who campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU, acknowledged that many businesses are concerned about Brexit.
He told MPs: “Of course there will be a number of companies whether in textiles or other sectors that will have concerns particularly about the short term.
“That’s why myself and my colleagues are already in touch with a number of companies and businesses around the country.
“Today, for example, this afternoon I will be holding a round table with businesses that represent every sector of the economy and we will be following up on just those issues.”
