LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - London's main financial lobbygroup urged the government on Friday to retain access to theEU's single market as it seeks to contain the fallout fromBritain's surprise vote to leave the trading bloc.
Since the June 23 referendum, many have predicted an exodusof banks and other high-paying service industries from the Cityof London if access to business opportunities in the EuropeanUnion becomes significantly harder. Banks like JPMorgan have said they could move thousands of jobs.
In a statement issued after the meeting of financial serviceleaders including Barclays chairman John McFarlane,TheCityUK lobby said keeping Britain in the EU's single marketwould be better for economic growth and jobs across the bloc.
Chief Executive Chris Cummings said businesses needed to beable to hire the best people from across the EU.
"We recognise that our industry will fare best if we presenta consistent and coherent message to policymakers," he said.
TheCityUK said the management consulting firm Oliver Wymanhas agreed to work for free for the organisation, providinganalysis to support its policy recommendations.
Consumer confidence took one of its biggest drops in 21years and Britain's largest department store expressed concernover the pound's fall on Friday, in the strongest evidence todate of the challenges Britain's economy faces after the Brexitvote. (Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)