Brexit extension : NI business groups 'breathe sigh of relief'

Northern Ireland business groups said they breathed a 'sigh of relief' after the EU granted the UK a six-month extension to Brexit. The Brexit deadline has been pushed back to 31 October. Stephen Kelly from Manufacturing NI said the UK parliament now had to 'make its mind up about what it wants to do around Brexit'. 'Only at that point will our businesses feel fully relieved,' added Mr Kelly. Theresa May said the UK would still aim to leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible. Mr Kelly told BBC Radio Ulster that last week he spoke to one business which invested £10m a week in stock. 'They now have three months worth of stock sitting there,' he said. 'That's £30m that would have been better used in developing new markets or investing in their staff.'