Dealing with Brexit

A new Brexit-related survey from the UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) has found that while 64% of its international haulage members view the short-term prospects for their businesses with pessimism, only 50% think Britain’s exit from the European Union will make things worse in the long term. FTA said that the top three “Brexit priorities” for its members were: continued full access to the Single Market; tariff-free access for goods; and preservation of access to the Single Market for services.

The association’s members are also keen to retain the ability to hire non-UK drivers, who would have the right to work in both the UK and in the Single Market.

Many of the FTA members polled did add, however, that it was too early to make a precise judgement on how Brexit may affect the industry until the new deal has been agreed.

Chris Yarsley, FTA’s EU Affairs Manager, commented: “With the UK’s current driver shortage, it’s no surprise that labour mobility issues are at the forefront of international transport businesses’ minds and this is certainly something FTA will be pressing the Government to prioritise this when the negotiations begin.

“These results reflect the fact that companies prefer certainty to the unknown, which is where we find ourselves at the moment. However, FTA and its members are ready to face the challenge head-on and engage with Government to obtain the best possible deal so that UK operators can continue to deliver the goods, no matter where they are.”

FTA has identified what it regards as the top 10 issues for the logistics industry as the UK prepares to leave the European Union; and it said it will be “closely monitoring” and – it hopes – “influencing” developments on these issues in the coming months.

The association has also produced an “ABC Guide to Brexit” which can be accessed at: http://www.fta.co.uk/media_and_campaigns/press_releases/2016/20160701-ftas-abc-guide-to-brexit.html