Responding to research by the British Chambers of Commerce which shows that firms are unhappy with the EU trade deal and the difficulties it has imposed upon trade, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “Businesses are saying loud and clear that Boris Johnson’s trade deal with the EU is simply not good enough, but the Government isn’t even listening.
“Claims from the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg about Brexit opportunities ring hollow for businesses being drowned in paperwork and delays at our borders.
“This failed trade deal is even making the cost of living crisis worse, as many businesses have no choice but to raise their prices.
According to the latest figures from the ONS, trade with the EU fell by £20bn last year – that’s a 12% decline on 2018. Trade with non-EU countries fell by around 6% in the same period, suggesting that at least £10bn of that fall was due to the failure to get a trade deal to make up for leaving the single market.
“The Government needs to listen to businesses and urgently relaunch the SME Brexit support fund to help struggling firms cope.”