EARLIER this week it was reported that huge sums of money are pouring into a new campaign to fight Brexit.

Best For Britain is planning a massive media operation with the sole aim of overturning the referendum result and keeping Britain in the EU.

They have every right to do that, but in response I’d like to make my own case about what’s “best for Britain” based on the reality of what we’ve seen since the referendum.

I won’t need to rely on slick marketing, and it won’t cost me a penny, because I can simply point to the facts.

In 2017, we saw the highest level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects into the United Kingdom in our history — a vote of confidence in the future from real investors.

We also saw that exports of our goods increased by 15.9 per cent and services rose by 11.6 per cent to  £617billion in the year to October 2017.

This is good news and I’m not surprised, because on trade visits across the world I am constantly reminded of our country’s rock-solid reputation as a good place to do business and for making trusted, high quality products.

Back home my officials provide the evidence.

Last week I was informed about new exports of aircraft propellers to China, dental products to Latin America and Star Wars-style hologram machines to Malaysia.

2017 had highest level of foreign investment in UK in history

Soaring exports to non-EU countries reveal the hard work of British businesses up and down the country. They also show that the world is changing.

Only a quarter of our exports are goods to the EU, which buys a much smaller proportion of our exports than it used to — 54 per cent in 2006 to 43 per cent in 2016.

Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that 90 per cent of global growth in the coming years will come from outside the EU.

However, there is still more we can do to support a new generation  of British businesses to embark on exporting across the globe.

It is estimated that up to 300,000 UK firms, who currently do not export, could be supported to forge new partnerships with foreign countries.

That is why I am unveiling plans to help hundreds of thousands of British businesses broaden their horizons.

IMF predicts 90% of future global growthwill come from outside EU

We are preparing a new Export Strategy to develop a culture of exporting among firms from every part of the UK.

The strategy, which is due to be  completed in spring, will include additional financial support for UK firms, more face-to-face support from expert trade advisers, and a step-by-step guide to setting your sights on new markets.

Current figures show only nine per cent of British firms exported goods and services in 2016, but the review will consider new ways to boost British exports.

The demand for UK goods and services is out there and I want to see more UK businesses on the global stage taking advantage of these incredible opportunities.

Expanding our export market will mean creating more good jobs at home and is part of our determination to build an economy that works for everyone.

Exports of UK goods increased by 15.9% last year

So next month my Department is hosting The GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong to showcase some of the best British businesses to the Asian market. I hope to drum up more business for Britain.

If we’re really going to follow the money we need to be outside the EU, and that means outside the Customs Union and Single Market too, so we can have an independent trade policy and strike trade deals in our national interest.

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Leaving the EU is a big change for the UK and it’s right that we continue to debate how that is best achieved.

But when people look down on you and say you don’t know what’s “best for Britain”, remember the optimism our biggest international trade partners feel about the UK, and remember our best years lie ahead.

Exports ofUK servicesup by 11.6%to £617bnin 2017

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