More than half of small businesses in the capital would vote for Britain to stay in the European Union, according to a new survey out today from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The FSB, along with the independent research agency Verve, polled more than 6,000 members between June and July of this year, finding that 55.4 per cent of members in London were in favour of the UK remaining in the EU.

Nationally, 47 per cent of FSB members said they would vote for the UK to remain a member of the EU, while just under 41 per cent of members surveyed said they favoured a so-called Brexit.

Nearly 11 per cent of members nationally said that they were undecided.

Commenting on the results, FSB policy director Mike Cherry said:

“The study attempts to understand current attitudes towards EU membership among our members. This research is a vital starting point in outlining the key issues and areas of concern for small businesses in the EU referendum debate.”

He added:

“This is only the beginning of our work to support our members throughout this complex debate. Our role will be to ensure the small business voice is heard in the discussion, and that our members have all the information they need to make a decision which is right for them and their business.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised an in/out referendum by the end of 2017.