A new report has detailed the deepening damage Brexit is inflicting on businesses throughout these islands – with small businesses hardest hit.
The study by Aston University Business School found that, between 2021 and 2023, UK goods exports to the EU fell 27% and imported goods by 32% – compared with what it predicts would have happened if the UK had not left the European Union.
The SNP have said that the ‘only reset with Europe that will work is to – at the very least – rejoin the single market and the customs union.’
The report, outlining the damage Brexit continues to inflict, comes the day after another senior group of economists warned the new Labour government not to ‘repeat the mistakes of the past’ by implementing a new era of austerity.
SNP Westminster Europe spokesperson Stephen Gethins said:
“This report confirms what we all already know – Brexit was a disaster, it remains a disaster and its impact on our economy is getting worse.
“The Prime Minister needs to wake up to the fact that the biggest black hole facing the UK economy remains Brexit – but it seems the new Labour Government are still politically too afraid to even mention it.
“Sir Keir Starmer has spent a lot of time talking about a reset with our EU partners – but the reality is that the only reset which will work is to – at the very least – rejoin the EU single market and the customs union.
“That is the only way to escape the self-imposed damage that Westminster has inflicted on our businesses and society.
“This report is another stark economic warning to change course for a new UK Labour Government that has embraced a hard Tory Brexit and has signalled a new era of austerity.
“A hard Brexit was a political choice and it was the wrong choice.
“Austerity is a political choice and it’s the wrong choice.
“Scotland can’t keep paying the price for Westminster’s damaging choices.
“Whilst Sir Keir Starmer’s new Government has embraced the miserable message that ‘things can only get worse’ – the SNP has a far greater ambition for our nation, which is rich in energy, resources and talent.
“With independent powers, Scotland can unite against Westminster austerity, protect our public services and grow our economy by rejoining the European Union.”
