‘Tariffs should top Brexit agenda’

Maintaining tariff-free access to the EU should be the Government’s top priority in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, says the region’s leading business organisation.

Prime Minister Theresa May started the two-year process of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union yesterday, in what she said was “an historic moment from which there can be no turning back”.

North East England Chamber of Commerce policy advisor Ben Powick said the region’s businesses were in no doubt about what they wanted to see.

“Now that Article 50 is being triggered there are a lot of challenges and opportunities ahead in the UK’s exit negotiations with the EU,” he said.

“Recently, our North East businesses indicated tariff-free access to the EU was by far the top priority in negotiations to come.

As a region where more than 60% of our exports go to the EU, it is essential this is made clear as soon as possible so that any potential new barriers are avoided.

“It is, therefore, welcome that the Prime Minister set out in her 12-point plan earlier this year that a bold and ambitious free trade agreement with the European Union is a key demand.

“The Government needs to set out further commitments to overseas trade missions and exporter support, if we are to truly be an even greater global Britain.

“As many of us would expect, uncertainty will continue, particularly over the next 18 months whilst negotiations begin and we start to feel the mood music from the EU and the strategy they take when setting out a deal with the UK.”

In an Echo online poll, 20% of voters said they were happy Article 50 had been triggered.