Britain’s most influential business lobby has committed itself to arguing to keep Britain at the centre of the European Union — just as the Prime Minister considers plans for a referendum that could lead to an exit.

In an unequivocal call to arms in the EU membership debate, the CBI will state today that Britain can carve itself a new role in global trade.

In his new year’s message to the 240,000 businesses that are members of the CBI, John Cridland, its Director-General, states: “We can’t beat around the bush — we pack a bigger punch in securing trade deals inside the EU than outside.”

The intervention comes before the much-anticipated speech from David Cameron on the EU, in which he is expected to announce