PRICE RISES FEAR OVER BREXIT
As UK Government admit there’s been no study on possible consumer costs..
FEARS that Brexit will cause food prices to soar grew yesterday after the UK Government admitted they’ve carried out no official reports on its impact on consumer costs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the lack of research in answer to freedom of information requests seen by the Record.
And they refused to say if anyone is even considering an estimate of price rises in the run-up to Brexit or the first five years after leaving.
It stoked fears about the effect of Britain hurtling out of the EU without a plan to protect producers and consumers.
Last month, Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted quitting without a trade deal could leave Britain at the mercy of World Trade Organisation rules, adding: “High tariffs on imports would raise the cost to UK consumers.”
The Tory Government have now turned down at least 10 freedom of information requests from organisations seeking clarity.
Crucially, the latest attempt by the SNP asked if any reports have been commissioned, drafted or compiled.
Defra replied: “No. We continue to build a broad evidence base to support Government policy on food supply.”
They said releasing any such information may weaken the Government’s hands in negotiations and “make it harder for the UK to secure a sound, economically desirable exit from the EU”. Richard Lyle, an SNP MSP on Holyrood’s European and external relations committee, said last night: “Are the UK Government completely unprepared for what’s coming or are they keeping under wraps the likely effects Brexit will have on the cost of living and on our weekly food shops?
“Nobody voted for the price of food to go up and the public, and indeed our trading businesses, deserve to know what’s coming.”