On the need for an urgent, time-limited Brexit transition agreement
as soon as possible, Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General,
said:
“A status quo, jobs-first transition deal between the
UK and the EU needs to be nailed down in the next 65 days to give
firms of all sizes the certainty they need to continue
growing.
“The steps outlined by the Secretary of State for
Exiting the EU will hopefully bring that agreement
closer.
“This is urgent – there has already been a steady
drip drip of investment leaving our shores that will turn into a
flood if agreements aren’t finalised as soon as
possible.
“Early agreement on transition will allow negotiators
to get on with the real task at hand - an ambitious new future
economic relationship which preserves barrier-free access to
European markets while respecting the Referendum’s call for more
control.”
On the ability of the UK to hold trade
negotiations during a time-limited transition
period, Josh
Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:
“It’s important to remember that trade isn’t just
about trade deals. The UK government and business already have
huge opportunities to turbo-charge trade without free trade
agreements.
“The ambition to grow trade is the right one but it
can be achieved while in a customs union, and the EU and our
current agreements must come first to protect existing jobs and
trade. There may come a time when the opportunity to set
independent trade policies outweighs the value of a customs union
with the EU - but that day hasn’t yet
arrived.
“Our future trading relationship with the EU is
pivotal to the UK's prosperity, not only as our closest trading
partner but also as a blueprint for future trading relationships
with other nations.
“That’s why we need to stay in a customs union and
the single market during transition, and a customs union
afterwards until an alternative that is better for jobs, growth
and living standards is available.”
