WE are nearly one year on now from the Brexit vote but, it seems, no further forward.

Adam Marshall, director-general of British Chambers of Commerce, yesterday summed up in a nutshell the huge and myriad uncertainties facing businesses, as Brexit talks began between the UK and European Union.

These are uncertainties that are, for all the initial euphoria of the Brexiters and tough talk since from the Conservatives, still as great as they were at the time of the UK electorate’s Leave vote.

Mr Marshall said: “Over the coming weeks and months, the UK Government must demonstrate how it is working to address the everyday considerations of British companies in the talks - who can they hire, whether their goods will be stopped at borders, and whether they will have to cope with extra costs.”

These are very big issues indeed. They affect businesses of all sizes, located all over the UK and operating across a huge range of sectors.

Offering a starting point, with a clarity so far not evident from the Conservatives as they have bumbled their way through the post-Brexit vote mess, Mr Marshall said: “Parties on both sides should begin the negotiations by seeking to guarantee the rights of EU citizens already in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU-27 [bloc].”

This would certainly be a good start. However, even if it were achieved, it would be only a small step on the very long and complex, not to mention unnecessary, journey towards Brexit.

The clock is ticking loudly on the two-year negotiating phase, following the triggering of Article 50 in late March. The longer the ticking is accompanied by a shambolic UK Government response, the more fragile already-weak business confidence will become.

It would be really good to see some economic damage limitation from Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis, and his colleagues, before too much more time passes.