Majority of business chiefs would rather the UK remain in the EU

The number of business supporting that Britain remain in the European Union increased slightly in April, the results of a survey showed.

A majority of 63% of the 1,224 members who participated in the latest Institute of Directors poll said they would prefer the UK remain inside the EU, up from 60% the last time around.

However, a small majority also said the country would eventually prosper if it chose to go its own way.

"However, more members than not think the UK could ultimately make an economic success of leaving the EU, in particular believing that it would have a positive effect on employment red tape," IoD director general Simon Walker in a statement.

The business lobby carried out its survey between 13 and 28 of April.

Twenty-nice percent of those canvassed said they would prefer an ‘exit’, down from 31%, while another 8% answered that they “did not know”.