What do you think?
Is Brexit ruining the UK? Is it time to rejoin the EU? Join the debate by emailing letters@westerndailypress.co.uk and including your name and address
be manufactured to CE standards). Inevitably the UKCA and CE standards will vary. The situation will arise where a product will be manufactured to two different standards, dependent upon it being sold in the UK or to be exported. Complicated and expensive to manufacture.
■ The restrictions on the free movement of UK citizens into
Europe and European citizens into the UK are causing major problems. We now have a shortage of people to support hospitals, care facilities and agriculture. UK persons are prevented from working in the European Union without first obtaining the necessary qualifications/paperwork, which can be a lengthy and expensive process. ■ Reference trade deals. We no longer have a free trade arrangement with the European Union. The UK government has placed a tariff on steel imported from the European Union. This tariff on steel is another measure adding to the UK’s uncompetitiveness.
■ There is no sign of a trade deal with the USA (not on the Government’s agenda). This puts the UK at a disadvantage compared with companies operating in the European Union.
■ A Kent brewery which featured in the government’s ‘Get Brexit Done’ advertising campaign has ceased exporting its beer to the EU. Defeated by additional paperwork, delays and associated costs.
■ Several small and medium sized businesses enjoyed a growing market for their products in
Europe. Unfortunately Brexit has effectively prevented this export business continuing, resulting in reduced business activity and loss of a valuable contribution to the UK economy.
■ A long established Westcountry business has moved its manufacturing to Europe resulting in the loss of 120 well paid jobs.
The above is a snapshot of some of the problems to date arising from Brexit.
There are still significant pieces of Brexit legislation to be implemented, inevitably causing further difficulties.
There is a Retained EU Law Bill floating around Parliament. This Bill refers to scrapping 2,400 retained EU laws to be replaced by legislation yet to be produced and agreed! Heaven knows what mayhem this Bill will create.
It is important we all recognise the financial damage Brexit is doing to our economy.
I myself work in a manufacturing business which supplies equipment to food factories in Europe and elsewhere.
Unfortunately, due to Brexit we are now unable to attend our customers’ premises in Europe and support the equipment we have supplied!
Since Brexit, we have not been in a position to obtain orders from customers within the European Union.
The government urgently needs to implement measures to mitigate this damage. A good start would be to improve relations with our European neighbours.
If we are to improve the prosperity of the United Kingdom we need to plan to rejoin the European Union.
J Tomlinson
Cornwall