More than two-thirds of UK consumers feel left in the dark about
new trade deals amid public concern for the government to take
into account key consumer issues, such as food, data protection
and environmental standards, new Which? research reveals.
Which? surveyed over 3,000 UK adults to find out how the public
feels about post-Brexit trade negotiations and what consumers
want to see prioritised in future trade deals.
The consumer champion’s research found that the public felt the
government was not providing enough information on trade
negotiations and some were concerned their interests were not
being represented in trade deals.
Which?’s survey revealed that over two-thirds of respondents
(67%) felt the public receives too little information from the
government around trade deals - with only 7 per cent saying they
knew that the UK had a final deal agreed with Japan.
A quarter (27%) of UK consumers said they felt the government was
“not at all open” about the impact new trade deals will have.
These figures were highest in Northern Ireland with over half of
Northern Irish (54%) consumers saying the UK government was not
at all open about the impact of trade deals on their nation.
There was also low confidence that the specific needs of devolved
nations would be met. Three in five (59%) Northern Irish
consumers, a third (32%) of Welsh consumers and two in five (41%)
Scottish consumers reported feeling “not at all confident” that
trade deals made by the UK government reflect the specific needs
of their nation.
Which? has previously called for a consumer chapter in trade
deals - which would cover key consumer priorities, such as
maintaining food, data, environmental and online shopping
protections.
The consumer champion’s survey showed strong public support for
this - with eight in 10 (81%) of respondents agreeing there
should be a section within trade deals supporting consumer
interests.
Nearly two thirds of consumers (63%) thought it was very
important not to reduce data and digital protections in trade
deals and nine in 10 consumers (87%) felt all food imported
should align with current UK domestic food standards.
Four in five consumers (80%) agreed that the UK government’s
trade policy should promote high environmental standards and not
endorse signing deals that remove existing environmental
protections.
Trade deals can offer exciting new opportunities for the
government to deliver and improve on the issues people care
about. However, consumers were not confident in the government’s
ability to deliver on these priorities.
More than half (59%) were not confident the government would
prioritise the environment in future negotiations - with a
quarter (23%) of consumers saying they were “not at all”
confident.
The findings demonstrate the need for clearer communication from
the government about how trade deals are negotiated and what
these agreements will mean for people in the UK. The government
should include a consumer chapter in future trade deals which
provides a clear breakdown of how they will benefit the public.
Which?’s National Trade Conversation, a series of dialogues
involving people from across the UK last year, showed how engaged
the public can be on trade issues if time is taken to engage them
and seek their views. While hubs have been set up to engage
businesses around the country on trade and trade deals, there is
seemingly no equivalent dedicated resource for consumers.
Which? believes the government must be more engaged with
consumers - including with consumers in devolved nations to
understand their specific needs better - and deliver on the key
issues they care about.
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Rights and Food Policy, said:
“The success of future agreements will be judged on what they
deliver for ordinary people in their everyday lives, not just the
export opportunities they provide.
“Our research shows that consumers feel they have been left in
the dark about what trade deals will mean for them.
“The government must take this opportunity to communicate
transparently and openly with the public about trade negotiations
and push for a consumer chapter to be included in future deals
which reflects the issues that are most important to consumers.”
- ENDS -
Notes to editors
Yonder, on behalf of Which?, surveyed 3,263 UK adults online
between 23rd and 24th June 2021. Data was weighted to be
representative of the UK population by age, gender, region,
social grade, tenure and work status. The number of respondents
from the devolved nations was boosted to ensure a large (500+)
sample for each.
