REGIONAL manufacturers are urging the Government to hold the planned referendum on the UK's EU membership at the earliest opportunity - and no later than 2016- to head off creeping uncertainty which exists for business

Manufacturers' body EEF has made the call ahead of the expected publication of a Referendum Bill in today's (WED) Queen's Speech .

EEF is pressing for the referendum to be held in either May or Autumn of 2016. , claiming it would not be in the UK's long-term interest to wait until 2017 .

The body is also calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to campaign positively for the UK to remain a leading member of the EU, emphasising the benefits of continued membership alongside a pledge to work for reform with like-minded partners.

Andy Tuscher, EEF Yorkshire regional director, said: “Now a referendum is going to take place, we need to get on with the negotiations and hold the referendum as soon as possible. Business and investors hate uncertainty and the longer this drags on the more damaging it will be.

“It is good to see the Prime Minister forging ahead with an early meeting of his counterparts across the EU to make Britain’s case and Brussels is clearly signalling its willingness to engage.

"But, having put the recovery on a sound footing, we simply cannot afford to prevaricate on an issue of such importance for the future of our nation. Having trailed this since early 2013 the Government must surely have a clear idea of its proposed areas for negotiation and it must now be a priority to get on with it.

“British manufacturers remain overwhelmingly of the view that our economic wellbeing is linked to the EU and we must stay in membership. It makes no sense to disengage from our major market where we would still face all the costs of compliance and enjoy none of the influence. We can achieve reform by being an active and leading member from within.”

EEF research shows that 85 per cent of UK manufacturers would vote to stay in the EU against only seven per cent voting to pull out, rising to 90 per cent amongst manufacturers with more than 250 employees.

EEF currently holds the chair of CEEMET, the representative body for manufacturing in Europe, which represents 250,000 companies across Europe, employing 30 million people.

EEF and challenger bank Aldermore, which has a regional base in Cleckheaton, have again joined forces to launch the annual Future Manufacturing Awards which offer regional and national prizes in eight categories. The entry deadline is July 31 at eef.org.uk/awards