THE North East England Chamber of Commerce has taken up members concerns over the status of their EU workers following the referendum result.

Paul Carbert, policy adviser, said: "The Government should reassure them as soon as possible that they will have the right to remain in the UK, to provide much-needed certainty both for EU employees and UK employers."

He said the region is also home to thousands of EU students who generate millions of pounds for the economy and support hundreds of jobs.

"It would be damaging if the Government were to make it more difficult for international students to come to the North-East to study, or for our employers to retain skilled graduates in the region," said Mr Carbert.

"The Government should now look to develop an immigration policy that allows businesses in the North-East to attract global talent and address the skills shortages present in our region, alongside continued investment in training for UK workers."

The survey results were part of a national British Chambers of Commerce survey of more than 800 UK businesses, which employ EU staff. It was undertaken a month after the referendum result.

More than half of the companies said their EU staff had expressed uncertainty over their future residency status – 29 per cent of businesses surveyed thought residency guarantees for EU workers would have a positive impact on their business.