A LEADING Bradford business figure says he remains sceptical that the UK’s exit from the European Union will be completed within 18 months.

Prime Minister Theresa May will tomorrow trigger withdrawal talks under Article 50 in the House of Commons when she makes a statement to MPs confirming the two-year countdown to Britain’s departure from the EU is under way.

Mrs May has insisted an exit agreement and trade deal can be completed within 18 months, a timeline supported by EU leaders.

Andy Caton, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, says he is relieved that the exit is finally taking place after months of uncertainty but remains sceptical that it will be a short-lived process.

He said: “Eighteen months is remarkably short. This process has never been triggered before.

“It would be lovely to think that it could be done within 18 months. Personally I would be sceptical that it would be this side of two years.

“We need as much transparency for the business community so that it can plan, but recognising the fact that naturally the Government has to keep its cards close to its chest to negotiate our exit route the best way it can.

“Whatever your views on Brexit, at least the process is starting.

“We have got clarity of when the starting point is, but we have not got clarity when the end point is. But at least we are up and running.”

Meanwhile, groups representing 200,000 manufacturers across Europe and the UK have called on the EU and UK negotiators to agree a Brexit deal that supports trade and reduces the risk of economic shocks.

The call comes as Britain prepares to trigger Article 50, sparking concern among industry leaders that no deal or a bad deal could be a lose-lose situation for both parties.

Brussels-based manufacturer CEEMET - which includes the UK’s EEF along with French, German and Italian manufacturing organisations - has called on both sides to ‘affect a stable and orderly exit, preserving as much as possible the often complex and delicate trading relationships that are in place.’

A total of 39 per cent of people from northern England think the average cost of buying a home in the UK will increase following the country’s exit from the EU, according to YouGov research commissioned by credit information provider, Equifax.