Business

Company leaders said Brexit is one of their biggest concerns – with key issues being a lack of access to EU migrants.

"We had Michael Gove standing here on the harbour telling us we would have greater control of our seas, and a greater share of fish. Nothing has changed. We’re pretty much in the same position as we were before. Maybe we’re a little worse off."

According to experts, the best long-term environmental and economic measure Tory ministers could adopt is a close relationship with the EU market.

A National Farmers Union representative said UK farmers need support from supermarket chains because of changes made to agricultural policies after Brexit.

A new parliamentary report warned the “blind optimism” shown by Tory ministers could force many small and tenant farmers in England out of business - but environment secretary George Eustice insists UK farmers are better off since Brexit.

"Companies are already having trouble with the system,” one reporter said.

Despite not seeming keen to cut VAT as per the Leave campaign promise, he took the opportunity to say this week that leaving the EU means the UK can now set its own VAT rates.

“You could interpret this as the UK having less reach in future," a finance expert has said.

New post-Brexit rules due to come into force from January 1 could also cause delays to shipments as the amount of paperwork required increases.