Government must push for Brexit trade deal with EU - The Yorkshire Post says

Yesterday’s announcement by the Government that it is investing £705m in managing borders is a reminder that the days are ticking away towards the end of the transition period, and there is still no trade deal with the EU in sight.

There will be many in the business world extremely worried by this, especially since a leaked letter from International Trade Secretary Liz Truss reveals serious reservations about the readiness of ports to cope with the extra checks required on goods after Brexit.

This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Government.

Whatever our future relationship with the EU will be, Britain must be able to trade with Europe via its ports as smoothly as possible.

If it cannot, exports will suffer and vital imports, such as food or raw materials for industry, be held up.

Time is rapidly running out to strike a deal with the EU, which means efforts to do so need to be redoubled. An overwhelming majority of opinion in commerce and industry favours a mutually beneficial trading arrangement as being in Britain’s best interest post-Brexit.

Investing in making our borders ready for whatever lies ahead is a sensible step, but it needs to be done in tandem with securing a deal, and one that works for all parties.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor