PM says ‘big exercise’ under way on post-brexit business shake-up
Boris Johnson has said that a “big exercise” is under way to shake up business taxes and regulation in the aftermath of Britain’s trade deal with the EU.
T h e p r i me mi n i s t e r s a i d that Chancellor Rishi Sunak i s s c r u t i n i s i n g a s e r i e s o f post Brexit changes, and will se ek to use the "legisl ative and regulator y freedoms to deliver for people who felt left behind.”
A m i d c o n t i n u i n g c r i t i - cism from the fishing industry over the deal struck with Brussels, Mr Johnson said he accepted that “the devil is in the detail” of the agreement, but stressed the UK would not take a backwards step when it comes to other areas.
I n a n i n t e r v i e w wi t h t h e Sunday Telegraph, Mr Johnson said that "a great government effor t" has gone into compiling plans for when the Brexit transition period ends later this week.
B u t h e s a i d i t "p e r h a p s would not have been fruitful" to discuss them publicly during negotiations, as he listed animal welfare regulations, data and chemicals alongside existing plans to estab
lish low tax freeports, which have been accused by critics of helping tax evasion.
T h e d e a l c o n t a i n s c o m - mitments not to regress on standards for workers' rights and environmental stand - ards, which is a bone of contention for some Brexiteers.
However, Mr Johnson said: "All that's really saying is the UK won't immediately send c h i l d r e n u p c h i m n e y s o r pour raw sewage all over its beaches. We're not going to regress, and you'd expect that.
The compromise reached is that both sides will now be able to seek redress through an indep endent arbitrator, such as the imposition of tariffs, should they feel the level playing field for their businesses has been undermined by the other refusing to raise its standards.”
Mr Johnson conceded that the deal, struck on Christmas Eve, “perhaps does not go as far as would like” over access to EU markets for financial services.”