‘North East needs UK to stay in Single Market’
BREXIT GROUP SETS OUT NEEDS OF REGION WHEN BRITAIN LEAVES THE EU
The UK must stay in the Single Market to minimise the impact on the North East economy, a regional economic group has said.
The North East Brexit Group, a network representing businesses, education, trade unions, local authorities and voluntary organisations, has released its Leaving the European Union report to set out what it feels is needed from the Brexit deal to ensure the region is not negatively impacted upon when the UK leaves the EU.
The group says it has compiled evidence from a wide range of government, academic and business sources to develop a clearer understanding of issues, challenges and opportunities which businesses and other economic partners believe need to be addressed to support the regional economy as the UK’s exit draws closer.
Keeping access to the Single Market, maintaining the ability to bring in skilled workers from the European Union, and replacing EU funding to the North East are key elements of the report.
Alistair Westwood, Deputy Regional Director at the CBI spokesperson said: “Businesses in the North East welcome the progress that’s been made so far, but this is no time to sit back and rest on our laurels. There is so much more to do.
“We leave the EU in less than one year and this must concentrate the minds of those on both sides. The global economy is growing, but the UK is already lagging behind.
“This means putting the big, unresolved issues under the microscope to find the right answers on Ireland, customs, regulation and access to people – for starters. Evidence is our best guide to good decisions about what comes next.”
The ‘Leaving the European Union’ report looks at economic forecasts as well as specific issues of concern, and opportunities identified, for each of the key North East business sectors.
Authors say the common finding throughout the range of economic studies collated is that lower levels of economic activity are forecast in the region over different timescales as a result of the decision to leave the EU.
Drawing together the findings, a series of recommendations are made in the report to Government about measures to protect the North East economy as it concludes negotiations and develops new national policy. They are:
Continued access to the European Single Market
An open trade and investment environment with frictionless and tariff-free flow of goods across the EU/UK border to create a level playing field for competition and ensure the stability of established supply chains
Continued access to skilled individuals from the EU to tackle projected North East future skills shortages due to an ageing workforce and lack of skilled workers
New policies to replace EU funding streams to the North East and to ensure that financial regulation can boost growth and skills
A national Government communications campaign with clear and consistent advice and messages about Brexit, encouraging firms to prepare for legislative changes well in advance of leaving the EU.
Beth Farhat, TUC Northern Regional Secretary, said: “We welcome the report and are pleased to be able to work with others to highlight this evidence. 140,000 North East jobs depend on EU trade, and paid holidays, fairness for part-time workers and parental leave are guaranteed by the EU. The best way to keep the good jobs and rights at work that the single market provides is to be part of it.”