- On January 9th The independent published a special report on the effects of 5 years of Brexit on the UK economy. Some takeaways:
- In one year alone (2022) the value of goods exported to the EU from the UK dropped by £27billion.
- The annual decrease in UK food exports to EU is £2.8billion.
- The number of businesses that stopped exporting to the EU stands at 16,400.
- Long term hit to UK trade is 15%.
There are many more figures on the Independent’s website. They are all drawn from reputable sources (eg Office of Budget Responsibility) and deeply depressing
2. On January 16th The Institute for Public Policy Research, a major thinktank, produced a report on the UK ‘s trading relationship with the rest of the world. One of its three final recommendations relates to trading relations with the EU, and says:
“… the UK should build on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to strengthen its trading relationship with the EU. This includes proposing a mutual recognition agreement and veterinary deal, suggesting the addition of a new mobility chapter to the TCA, and pursuing an agreement to link theUK and EU emissions trading systems”
‘Mutual recognition’ relates to the need for UK and EU to recognize one another’s professional/occupational qualifications. A veterinary deal would relate to health-related regulation of food imports and exports and again concerns the harmonization of UK and EU regulations. (Morris 2025)
3. As for political action, the Lib Dems intervened twice last week.
First, Lib Dem MP James MacCleary introduced a Ten-Minute Rule Bill into the House of Commons calling for an EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme. This passed its first reading.
Second, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey made a speech last week in which he argued that the UK should negotiate a new Customs Union deal with the EU.
derby4europe 