Brexit: UK businesses warn of price rises over variance in EU rules

Web Editor | ConsumerConnect

Businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) have warned that food prices may rise and jobs may be affected after the Chancellor vowed to end alignment with European Union (EU) rules after Brexit.

Mr. Sajid Javid told Financial Times that the UK would not be a “ruletaker” after Brexit, urging businesses to “adjust”.

BBC reports the Food and Drink Federation said the proposals were likely to cause food prices to rise at the end of this year.

The Confederation of British Industry said for many firms, keeping existing EU rules would support jobs.

The automotive, food and drink and pharmaceutical industries all warned the government last year that moving away from the key EU rules would be damaging.

In an interview with Financial Times, the Chancellor said the Treasury would not support manufacturers that favour staying aligned with EU rules, as companies had known since 2016 that the UK was going to leave the EU.

“Admittedly, they didn’t know the exact terms,” he said.

The UK’s 11-month transition period begins after it leaves the EU on January 31, 2020.

Mr. Javid, however, declined to specify which EU rules he wanted to drop, but said some businesses would benefit from Brexit, while others would not.

“There will not be alignment; we will not be a ruletaker; we will not be in the single market, and we will not be in the customs union – and we will do this by the end of the year,” he disclosed.

Tim Rycroft, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Food and Drink Federation, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it sounded like the “death knell” for frictionless trade with the EU.

Acknowledging that some industries might benefit from Brexit, Rycroft said: “We also have to make sure the government clearly understands what the consequences will be for industries like ours if they go ahead and change our trading terms.”

Meanwhile, the Food and Drink Federation has warned of price rises at the end of 2020.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it welcomed the EU Chancellor’s “ambitious” vision, but said the government should not feel an “obligation” to depart from EU rules.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said for many companies, “particularly in some of the most deprived regions of the UK”, keeping the same rules would support jobs and maintain competitiveness.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the automotive industry in the UK and EU was “uniquely integrated” and its priority was to avoid “expensive tariffs and other ‘behind-the-border’ barriers”.

The Society said it was vital to have “early sight” of the government’s plans so companies could evaluate their impact.

And the Chemical Industry Association said: “The industry continues to support regulatory alignment with our European counterparts, which represents the largest single market for our products.”

A BBC business correspondent pointed out that the association’s members were concentrated in the north of England, an area the government is particularly keen to be seen to support.