BUSINESSES in Yorkshire could be in the grip of a “Brexit ennui”, it has been claimed.

Regional business and council chiefs met for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s business innovation and growth panel yesterday to discuss how leaving the European Union could affect the region’s economy.

A report warned consumer spending may be affected over the Christmas period, as households wait for clarity over Britain’s departure from the EU.

It added that, despite strong recent performance from industries in the region, continuing uncertainty around the deal will “pose challenges” to areas such as logistics and hospitality.

Commenting on a lower-than-expected engagement on Brexit planning with the authority among businesses, a panel member asked: “I wonder if there is a ‘Brexit ennui’ and everyone is a bit bored of talking about it.”

Chair of the committee Andrew Wright said: “I don’t think anyone is bored with it, I think there’s just not an awful lot useful you can say about it.”

The report added Yorkshire’s economy was performing well following the Brexit vote, but warned continuing uncertainty will “pose challenges” to areas such as logistics and hospitality.

A WYCA officer told the meeting: “We have started to see a bit of a global slowdown in the economy over the last few months.

“But GDP growth in Britain is fairly strong despite uncertainty around Brexit.

“There still seems to be tentativeness around this, but politically things are moving quite quickly at the moment, so we may see things change.”

Board member Kersten England, also chief executive of Bradford Council, told the meeting there needed to be easier entry points to lower-paid occupations that are currently reliant on EU migrants.

Business innovation expert professor Liz Towns-Andrews from the University of Huddersfield added she had heard of a UK-based company which was considering relocating to Poland, such was its reliance on Polish workers.

Following agreeing a deal in principle with EU chiefs, Prime Minister Theresa May has this week rejected suggestions of a second referendum, negotiating a different type of Brexit, or an extension of the Article 50 withdrawal process.

l A report published today has warned of major disruption at British ports is a “real prospect” if the UK exits the EU without a deal.

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said there is a “real risk” the Department for Transport will not be ready for a no-deal scenario, with time running out to fix it. Meg Hillier, the Labour MP who chairs the cross-party group of MPs, said plans to avoid disruption around major ports “are worryingly under-developed”.