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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/17/microsoft-comes-out-in-support-of-uk-remaining-in-eu
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| Microsoft comes out in support of UK remaining in EU | Microsoft comes out in support of UK remaining in EU |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Microsoft is the latest business to come out in support of the UK remaining in the EU, in a letter to more than 5,000 of its UK staff. The tech firm said Britain’s membership in the union made it one of “the most attractive places in Europe” to make investments. | Microsoft is the latest business to come out in support of the UK remaining in the EU, in a letter to more than 5,000 of its UK staff. The tech firm said Britain’s membership in the union made it one of “the most attractive places in Europe” to make investments. |
| In a letter to employees on Tuesday, Microsoft’s chief executive in the UK, Michel Van der Bel, said: “We appreciate and respect that there are a range of reasons that motivate people on both sides of the debate, but as a business that is very committed to this country, our view is that the UK should remain in the EU. | In a letter to employees on Tuesday, Microsoft’s chief executive in the UK, Michel Van der Bel, said: “We appreciate and respect that there are a range of reasons that motivate people on both sides of the debate, but as a business that is very committed to this country, our view is that the UK should remain in the EU. |
| “Historically, the UK being part of the EU has been one of several important criteria that make it one of the most attractive places in Europe for the range of investments we have made. | “Historically, the UK being part of the EU has been one of several important criteria that make it one of the most attractive places in Europe for the range of investments we have made. |
| “At key moments in our international growth we have specifically chosen to invest in our capabilities here in the UK. Most recently, we announced that we would start offering cloud services this year from new UK-based data centres. And as we’ve grown, so too have the UK technology businesses we work with. | “At key moments in our international growth we have specifically chosen to invest in our capabilities here in the UK. Most recently, we announced that we would start offering cloud services this year from new UK-based data centres. And as we’ve grown, so too have the UK technology businesses we work with. |
| “For us, the UK’s membership of a wider EU was also a key reason why we chose to invest in our first overseas R&D laboratory in Cambridge. | “For us, the UK’s membership of a wider EU was also a key reason why we chose to invest in our first overseas R&D laboratory in Cambridge. |
| “Why? Because we knew that the world-leading scientists we wanted to attract would want and need to work directly alongside other great researchers from across the region.” | “Why? Because we knew that the world-leading scientists we wanted to attract would want and need to work directly alongside other great researchers from across the region.” |
| Related: Pro-Brexit bosses include retirees and tax avoidance experts | |
| He added that flexibility attracts skilled workers and investment. | He added that flexibility attracts skilled workers and investment. |
| Microsoft opened its first international office in the UK in 1982 and now employs more than 5,000 people and works in partnership with about 25,000 British businesses. | Microsoft opened its first international office in the UK in 1982 and now employs more than 5,000 people and works in partnership with about 25,000 British businesses. |