Holyrood to Debate Harm Caused
SNP MSP Clare Adamson led a Holyrood debate marking five years since Scotland was dragged out of the EU despite every part of Scotland, and almost two-thirds of Scottish voters, voting to remain.
Since leaving the EU on the 31st of January 2020, Brexit has had hugely negative impact on both the Scottish and UK economies. The UK Government’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects UK GDP to be 4% lower in the longer term because of Brexit.
Both exports and imports will be around 15% lower in the long term than if the UK had remained in the EU, given the increased cost of importing and exporting products.
Analysis published by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor has estimated Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4 billion.
This estimated economic cost is from the reduction in trade alone – not counting changes to productivity, investment or migration.
According to the Trade Modelling Report, Scottish exports could be lower by 7.2% or £3 billion compared to continued EU membership.
The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is estimated to be one of the hardest hit by post-Brexit trade barriers, with an estimated 9.1% reduction in output, followed by the computer and electronics sector with an estimated 7.7% fall. The 4.9% output drop estimated for the agrifood sector represents a loss of £827 million.
UK insurance premiums have skyrocketed, with car insurance in the UK up by 34% between 2022 and 2023. That is compared to just 2% in France and 5% in Spain in the same period.
Despite the evident damage caused by Brexit, the move is now backed by all Westminster parties, including Labour. The SNP is clear that the only route back to the EU for Scotland is through independence.
Lower trade, higher costs – Brexit has been a disaster. Friday marks five years since Scotland was dragged out of the EU. @ClareAdamsonSNP will lead a debate making it clear that Scotland doesn’t have to accept Brexit.
— The SNP Media (@theSNPMedia) January 28, 2025
Watch here: https://t.co/HVBbBJEd8p pic.twitter.com/Gh3rtQNGn7
This week marks five years since Scotland was disastrously removed from the European Union against the will of its people.
GRAEME
This after being told that voting against our country’s independence was the only way to guarantee EU membership.
Brexit has made people across the UK poorer – hitting trade and sending costs skyrockting, with no sign of the supposed benefits through free trade deals with the US or India or additional funds for the NHS.
But today the Westminster parties are united in their commitment to this economic self-harm, with only the SNP offering a brighter future for Scotland as an independent member state of the EU.
