New harmful import controls
As of the 31st of January, new import controls have been imposed on Scotland by the UK government as a result of Brexit. EU goods, spanning from flowers to fresh produce such as meat, fruits, and vegetables, will now require extra Brexit red tape to be sold in the UK.
Broken Brexit Britain’s import controls means the cost of food prices and goods are predicted to increase again, at a time when families are already being impacted by Westminster’s cost-of-living crisis.
These new import controls have already been delayed five times by the UK government because of fears they will push up food prices.
Yet, the Tories’ have pushed ahead with these new harmful import controls anyway, when many people are struggling, the cost-of-living crisis continues to limit people’s lives, and inflation is remains high.
As a result of this Brexit chaos, the UK Government estimates that their new Brexit red tape will cost businesses an extra £330million a year.
Westminster’s new import controls are replacing import controls that were already in place when the UK was an EU member and active in the European Single Market, a highly valuable economic agreement for its members which Scotland and our businesses benefitted greatly from.
The European Single Market offers extremely positive benefits to trade and in goods and services for Scotland, both in business and by keeping food inflation stable. Now, Scotland is missing out on these benefits, business and families are suffering all at the hands of a Westminster government.
Westminster is deeply out of touch and these new import controls will only cause more hardship as they needlessly drive up food prices.
The European Single Market remains the best choice for trade and there is no denying the tremendous global progress that has been achieved by working with other European nations over the past three decades.
Brexit serves as an example of the UK government taking a backward step, relinquishing the benefits and cooperative advantages of EU membership and the positive impact it brings to trade, the economy and our public sectors.
The costs of both Brexit and Scotland’s absence as an independent country is holding Scotland back from being the country our people deserve.
The SNP holds the key to a different future, offering hope, where Scotland can flourish on the global stage and providing the people of Scotland a pathway back into the EU and the European Single Market.
Currently, Scotland’s decision-making, international relations, public services, and economy are constrained by Westminster. Independence is crucial for improving how Scotland functions and providing the people of Scotland and our businesses a direct route back into the EU.
