Responding to the second meaningful vote, Edwin Morgan, Interim Director General of the Institute of Directors, said:

“Our politicians have yet again failed to find a way to break the impasse. They are becoming adept at saying what they don’t want, but it’s still hard to see where the desire for compromise lies. Now that we have confirmation that Parliament will have its opportunity to reject no deal on 29 March, it is essential that political leaders on all sides look beyond party lines to find a way to move the country forward.

“If an extension is sought, both the Government and the Opposition must state in precise terms what they are hoping to achieve from it. Recurring short extensions aren’t an appetising prospect for businesses.

“While business leaders will be eager to see the details on tariffs and the Northern Ireland border, the Government’s belated contingency planning and lack of transparency have made it almost impossible for many of them to prepare adequately for no deal by 29 March.”