ONS trade stats: Brexit red tape slows UK growth

Responding to the ONS trade statistics for February 2022, and analysis from the British Chamber of Commerce that the UK is not experiencing the same growth levels as “some of our largest trading neighbours”, Hilary Benn MP, Co-Chair of the UK Trade and Business Commission, said:

“The UK’s long term exports appear to be lagging behind our European neighbours, and the key difference between us and them is the mountain of red tape that has been imposed on UK businesses post Brexit. 

“Ministers can begin to address this by adopting the recommendations we made in the Commission’s annual report on tackling artificial barriers to trade. Otherwise we face continuing lost growth.”