There are no benefits as a result of Brexit, an organisation representing UK manufacturers has said.
According to Make UK, it is currently hard for manufacturers to see any advantages from leaving the EU, and the organisation warns exports to the bloc could become a permanent problem if the government does not step in.
The organisations admitted its position following a meeting it had with SNP MP Angus MacNeil.
Tweeting yesterday, MacNeil said that “esentially, after their [Make UK] talking to 1000s of member businesses, no one has reported any advantages to Brexit.”
He later added large businesses are “still exporting, with hassles, to the EU, but a lot of small businesses have stopped”.
Fall
He said 17 per cent of UK exporters are no longer trading as exporters due to Brexit and that there has been a 50 per cent fall in food and drink exports.
Large businesses still exporting, with hassles, to the EU, but a lot of small businesses have stopped – 17% of UK exporters are no longer trading as exporters due to Brexit.
— Angus B MacNeil MP (@AngusMacNeilSNP) August 12, 2021
50% fall in food and drink exports.
Lots sorted in SPS agreement were signed by the UK. https://t.co/G62VV6HNb1
A Make UK spokesperson told The London Economic that even before Britain had its “final departure” from the European Union, “political uncertainty was hitting exports to the bloc”.
The spokesperson added: “Now, while some opportunities are opening up elsewhere, it’s very difficult to date for manufacturers to see any benefit from leaving.
“The EU will remain our biggest trading partner through sheer fact of geography. As such, with major changes coming down the track, especially the imposition of import controls, it’s vital that government works with business and the EU to smooth out critical issues such as customs procedures.
“Otherwise there is a risk that the drop in exports to the bloc we have seen over the last couple of years will become structural and permanent.”
Reactions
As expected, Twitter users had something to say about these latest Brexit news.
Dr Charles Tannock, former Tory MEP, said: “Quelle surprise. All those Brexiteers including ministers who made such claims were just stating these on a wing and a prayer with no credible researched evidence basis on which to promote such predictions.
“All rather sad and inevitable looking back on what I’ve said for five years.”
One Twitter user said: “So far, pretty much all the advantages of Brexit have been in the EU’s favour, and you know what? I’m fine with this, EU is better off without the UK”.
Quelle surprise. All those Brexiteers including Ministers who made such claims were just stating these on a wing & a prayer with no credible researched evidence basis on which to promote such predictions. All rather sad & inevitable looking back on what I’ve said for 5 years https://t.co/vo2Yz6nbgG
— Dr Charles Tannock (@CharlesTannock) August 13, 2021
So far, pretty much all the advantages of Brexit have been in the EU’s favour, and you know what? I’m fine with this, EU is better off without the U.K. https://t.co/KoHKfGhopz
— Mick (@Lordofthevan) August 13, 2021
‘Severe disruption’
Last week, it emerged UK manufacturing including cars and fridges could face severely disrupted supply chains because the government failed to replace the EU’s safety standards system post-Brexit.
The government admitted this was “not the desired outcome”, as it started facing a threat of failling out with businesses if new British compliance rules disrupt UK’s supply chains, with some products, such as airbags, already trapped in backlogs.
Nonetheless, the government insisted it would not extend the deadline for the shift to UK safety rules, arguing the new checks are a matter of sovereignty.
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