Contractor says remaining in EU is vital for access to skills and investment, but fears grow of a British exit
Carillion, one of the country鈥檚 biggest contractors, has told 黑洞社区 the UK should stay in the EU or risk economic instability and a brake on inward investment.
The firm, which has a turnover of 拢4.6bn, is the largest so far to put its name to 鈥満诙瓷缜� Says IN鈥�, 黑洞社区鈥檚 campaign in support of remaining in the EU in the forthcoming referendum. Other builders to have signed up include Mace, Willmott Dixon and ISG.
Carillion, which is currently extending Liverpool鈥檚 Anfield football stadium, said: 鈥淲e believe that [the EU] provides economic stability and helps to stimulate investment which drives growth and creates jobs.鈥�
The firm said it is worried about the impact a Brexit would have on its ability to hire workers from across the EU.
It added: 鈥淸The EU] also helps us to access people with the skills we need to support the ongoing development and success of our business.鈥�
Carillion鈥檚 decision to back staying in the EU comes as the campaign enters its final week ahead of next Thursday鈥檚 polling day.
On Tuesday, four new opinion polls all showed Leave pulling ahead of Remain, with two polls giving those who want to quit the EU a six-point lead.
The chief executive of BDP - the country鈥檚 third biggest architect with nearly 900 staff - admitted he had been caught off guard over how much the gap between the two sides had narrowed. 鈥淚鈥檓 surprised at how close it鈥檚 become,鈥� John McManus said. 鈥淭he uncertainty is very damaging.鈥�
McManus said a vote for Brexit would cause a number of 鈥渄ifficulties鈥� for BDP, which has offices in Ireland and the Netherlands, in the months ahead.
He added: 鈥淲e are very outward looking in the practice. From our perspective there will be some difficulties ahead if Brexit occurs.鈥�
Other senior architects admitted their concerns were rising over the possibility of a Brexit. Speaking about Leave鈥檚 lead in the polls, Robin Nicholson, a senior partner at Cullinan Studio, which is also backing 黑洞社区鈥檚 campaign, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly alarmed. I think it鈥檚 a real worry.鈥�
And another architect, Rab Bennetts, a director with Bennetts Associates, said he was backing 黑洞社区鈥檚 campaign to stay in the European Union.
He said: 鈥淎t heart I鈥檓 a collaborator, not an isolationist. The idealism behind European countries working together, to avoid conflict, strengthen trade and enhance culture, is so strong it mustn鈥檛 be allowed to disappear.鈥�
黑洞社区 launched its campaign after results of an exclusive survey of 1,300 construction professionals last month showed two-thirds supported staying in.
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