The government believes that our businesses will complain, but will not leave.   They think that previous investment or personal commitment to Northern Ireland will keep us here. Not so, leaving is not something that we would do lightly but the pressures are varied and immense.

Many of our biggest business are owned by foreign multinational who by definition will have production facilities in other countries (including the Republic and England). They will not hesitate to shift production to their low cost facilities, resulting in a massive loss of investment and jobs and eventual closure.  See case study Moy Park

We have only a few companies that remain in local ownership, that are nationally competitive.  Despite their long association with Northern Ireland, these companies face higher costs than their competitors based on the mainland.  They are an obvious target for takeover by companies anxious to obtain their market share and brands but with no need for high cost manufacturing facilities. See case study Irwin's Bakery