Up to 750k jobs may go if UK leaves with no deal

Almost 750,000 jobs could be lost if the UK leaves the EU without a deal in place, including many in the constituencies of Cabinet members, a new study suggests.

Research by academics at Sussex University indicated that some parts of Britain, such as London, would be worst affected on the jobs front by a no-deal Brexit.

Around 1,700 jobs would go in the Maidenhead constituency of Prime Minister Theresa May, 950 in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s North East Somerset, and 1,100 in Runnymede and Weybridge, represented by Chancellor Philip Hammond, said the report.

Almost 150,000 jobs could be lost in London, 80,000 in the North West, 63,500 in Scotland and 28,600 in Wales, according to the research.

The biggest job cuts among residents would be in large commuter cities such as Watford and Reading.

It was also suggested that cities such as Liverpool and Manchester would be hit by job losses among workers who live elsewhere.

Dr Ilona Serwicka, a research fellow in the economics of Brexit at the University of Sussex, said: “This research makes very clear that both soft and hard forms of Brexit, but in particular a no-deal Brexit, will have a negative impact on the lives of residents the length and breadth of Britain.

“Of course, we cannot say for certain that this number of job losses will definitely happen.

“Employers may choose to reduce the number of hours or wages rather than cut workforces, but our analysis shows which areas of the country will take the biggest hits.”

Professor Alan Winters, professor of economics at the university, added: “MPs have very difficult decisions to make knowing that the livelihoods of hundreds of their constituents will rest in their hands.”

MPs have very difficult decisions to make knowing that the livelihoods of hundreds of their constituents will rest in their hands. PROFESSOR ALAN WINTERS