Commission reveals plan for EU/UK post-Brexit unity as both face external threats and cost of living crisis

MPs and business leaders have today outlined a roadmap for the UK and EU to remove continued points of division and barriers to trade as both sides face massive external economic and security challenges.

In their annual report published today, the cross-party and cross-industry UK Trade and Business Commission (UKTBC), has proposed 21 concrete interventions aimed at improving cooperation and trade between the UK and our closest neighbours. 

The recommendations will help the many business sectors  that continue to bear the burden of costly red tape and barriers to trade, which are artificially increasing costs for them and consumers at a time when global events threaten to hike costs even further. The proposals are also aimed at removing points of political tension including around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The recommendations include:

• A comprehensive EU-UK Veterinary Agreement that would significantly reduce burdens for many exporting and importing businesses across the food and drink industry.

• A successor to the Brexit Support Fund with a simpler application process and more substantial grants after the original fund paid out only £6.8m of the £20m set aside to support businesses

• A long-term plan to improve UK-EU trade and relations with a focus on reducing obstacles and increasing the UKs reputation as a reliable partner

• More flexible visa rules for seasonal workers, service industries and the creative sector.

• A more defined process and increased scrutiny of new trade deals including new bodies to assess the impact they will have on UK standards and zero-carbon ambitions

The report is based on evidence gathered from almost 100 witnesses from both sides of the Brexit divide, over 17 sessions and 34 hours of testimony. It is released as the ONS is expected to disclose trade statistics for January 2022, the first since the introduction of new import checks at the beginning of this year.

Hilary Benn MP, Co-convener of UK Trade and Business Commission, said:

“The invasion of Ukraine has highlighted just how important it is for the UK and the EU to work together to tackle the huge external challenges we both face. 

“So let’s find a resolution to the problems – like the Northern Ireland protocol – which have caused division between us.  

“And given that we are facing a cost of living crisis on both sides of the Channel, it makes no sense to add to business costs and therefore to prices paid by consumers as a result of Brexit red tape and paperwork.”

Alison WIlliams, Global Head of Data at DunnHumby and member of the UK Trade and Business Commission, said:

“The government’s Brexit deal has touched all parts of our economy and has unfortunately been failing a large number of British businesses, costing investment, income and jobs in the UK.

“With more checks on the way and huge economic challenges facing us, it is imperative that the government acts on these recommendations now so we can work with our European partners to weather the storm.”

Naomi Smith, CEO of Best for Britain, Secretariat to the Commission, said: 

“The government’s Brexit deal has so far delivered added costs for business, less choice for consumers, increased delays, and now, in the midst of another global crisis, red tape is even hampering our ability to deliver humanitarian aid. 

“We can no longer afford to engage in self-sabotaging trade battles with our closest neighbours.Ministers should adopt these pragmatic recommendations and  begin to repair our relationship with Europe, which has been badly damaged over the past few years.”