The SNP has condemned the Tory government’s extreme Brexit plans, after fresh warnings that Brexit-related customs delays and red tape will pile on the costs for firms this year – further compounding the cost of living crisis gripping the UK.
A survey of 228 firms by Make UK, an industry body representing 20,000 manufacturing firms across the UK, found that more than half (56%) of firms said that they were likely to face further damage due to customs delays and changes in rules around labelling.
Meanwhile, two thirds of companies stated that Brexit had moderately or significantly hampered their business.
Separately, a YouGov poll found that three quarters of people in Scotland (75%) believe the UK government is handling Brexit badly.
While a majority of people across the UK (60%) also believe the UK government is handling Brexit badly.
Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow Europe spokesperson Dr Philippa Whitford MP said:
“Instead of helping businesses navigate through the challenges posed by the pandemic, Boris Johnson’s government instead imposed an extreme Brexit that is piling on the hardship and costs.
“Firms across the UK are warning that Brexit-related customs delays, red tape and reduced access to labour are impacting on their business and could lead to soaring costs.
“The UK government must heed the warnings and act, rather than continue to bury its head in the sand.
“Households and businesses are already grappling with a Tory-made cost of living crisis and it’s clear that Brexit is further compounding it.
“Businesses are being burdened by Brexit bureaucracy and it is almost inevitable the increased costs will be passed on to consumers across the UK.
“Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster and it’s beyond any doubt that the only way to protect our interests and escape the long-term damage of Brexit is to become an independent country and rejoin the largest single market in the world.”
