THE early impacts of the Brexit decision are starting to play out.

The historic low for the Pound in early October is advantageous for exporters and is perhaps one of the factors helping manufacturing output rise at the moment.

However the announcement by the Prime Minister that Article 50, triggering Brexit would be invoked before March 2017 has left investors uncertain.

The deal for Brexit is yet to be struck and a ‘hard Brexit’ prospect makes business nervous.

In the north east the Government has managed Nissan’s anxiety over outcomes, but what about the manufacturing stronghold of the north west?

Surely some of the large players here such as Airbus, GM-Vauxhall and the logistics sector also require reassurances?

If imports are going to become more expensive (as they are) due to exchange rates and exports are going to become more competitive then UK PLC needs to take advantage of the conditions and invest to benefit.

Under ‘hard Brexit’ Europe will become a smaller trading partner, so other markets are more critical.

This needs capacity building in terms of skills (under reduced European labour) and facilities. The problem is, in the absence of clear information, people think the worst and save their money.

  • Lawrence Bellamy is associate dean at the University of Chester's Padgate campus and writes a regular column for business.