The human cost of a bad deal or no deal

AS a member of a few social media groups and business communities, I have recently heard worrying comments from members which indicate deep depression.

This is only to be expected when people face life-changing uncertainty about their businesses and jobs. One group took the positive step of collating phone numbers Europe-wide of organisations such as the Samaritans.

The cost of a bad Brexit deal or no deal to business is bad enough, but the human cost of this act of self-harm cannot be measured. Every human life is precious.

A 16-page planning report prepared for the Department of Work and Pensions in 2018 entitled ‘Economic Downturn’ was leaked to the Times. Officials stated that in the event of Britain leaving the EU without a deal and on unfriendly terms, ministers must ‘create a strategy with other government departments – handling the negative impacts (eg homelessness, poverty and suicide)’. A bad deal or no deal would cause unemployment and welfare spending to rise to levels last seen after the 2008-09 crash. The unemployment benefit bill could rise by almost £12bn over three years.

In terms of Brexit preparedness, this warning is almost two years old. With transition end looming, in the middle of a pandemic, our situation is no doubt worse.

It is beyond belief that the DWP chiefs and minister Guy Opperman did not urge the Government to exercise caution when making the deal.

A responsible government would question the legitimacy of their acts knowing the consequences. The Government must face the responsibility of both the human and economic costs of Brexit or act to mitigate the damages. An extension to the transition, EFTA membership, EEA membership spring to mind as solutions.

J Hamilton, Northumberland