The Prime Minister must answer for the “catastrophic economic vandalism” created from Brexit, according to the SNP, following new statistics which show Scotland’s trade plummeting since leaving the Single Market and the Customs Union.
Details published by HM Revenue and Customs show that, from the period ending June 2021, Scottish exports had decreased by 14% in comparison to the previous year – the highest in the UK.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland also saw a decline in exports – decreasing by 2.2%, 13% and 6.1% respectively.
The overall value of UK trade in goods exports also decreased by 3.5% during the same time period.
Scotland’s imports have also fell by 3.9% in comparison to June 2020 – with England’s decreasing by 2.3%, Wales’ by 10%, however Northern Ireland’s rose by 3.8%.
Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow International Trade Secretary Drew Hendry MP (pictured) said:
“These are devastating figures which clearly show that the warnings about Brexit and the impact it would have on trade were justified – warnings that Boris Johnson and his band of Brexiteers continue to ignore at the expense of people and businesses across all sectors and all parts of Scotland.
“The SNP repeatedly warned the Tory government at Westminster that ploughing ahead with their reckless Brexit deal, in the middle of a pandemic, would have devastating consequences.
“We are now seeing them in black and white with these figures.
“Boris Johnson must now answer for the catastrophic economic vandalism that he has implemented on Scotland’s trade.
“Beyond the Tory bluff, bluster, and outright denial, Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster for Scotland – and we are paying the price for it against our will.
“There is an alternative to continuing down the long dark road set out by the Tories.
“The only way to keep Scotland safe from the long-term damage of Tory Brexit is to become an independent nation, with the full powers needed to secure a strong, equal, and fair recovery – and to regain the economic and trading benefits of EU membership.”
