A new survey of UK businesses has revealed that 98.2% of respondents are advocating for the restoration of access to the EU single market. This data, reported by The Independent, suggests that the current trade relationship with the European Union is creating significant operational difficulties for a near-unanimous portion of the surveyed business community. The report frames these findings as a reflection of the 'true cost' of Brexit, suggesting that the current trade arrangements are insufficient for the needs of British industry.

While the survey results highlight a strong desire among businesses for closer economic ties with the EU, the report does not detail the specific methodology of the survey or the size of the sample group. Furthermore, the article links these business sentiments to growing political pressure to rejoin the single market, though it does not provide a counter-perspective from government officials or proponents of the current trade deal who might argue that the UK has gained necessary regulatory autonomy. The narrative focuses heavily on the economic friction caused by the current trade status, positioning the business community's feedback as a primary indicator of Brexit's overall economic performance.