UK business leaders urge caution after Cameron's EU referendum pledge

British businesses gave qualified backing to the Prime Minister's pledge for an in/out referendum, but raised fears the vote will create greater uncertainty for under-pressure UK companies.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) called on the British government to bring forward the timetable to ease uncertainty, while manufacturers also warned that David Cameron's tough-talking strategy could weaken the UK's ability to influence reforms in the EU.