GM Chamber comments on Brexit Phase One deal
6 years ago
Following the announcement of a deal concluding the first phase of the Brexit negotiations, Alex Davies, Research Analyst at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) said:
“The conclusion of the first phase of talks and particularly the agreement on the future rights of EU citizens’ marks real progress in the Brexit process and will be welcomed by our members and the wider business community.
Now though, with talks moving onto the issue of our future trading relationship, the real work begins, and some of the major incoherencies of the government’s current Brexit policy will finally need to be addressed.
Most importantly, the phase 1 deal does much to take the possibility of a chaotic no-deal off the table, but the issue of how to avoid a hard border in Ireland cannot be kicked down the road forever. The government must now work out how to reconcile this with its position on leaving the single market and the customs union.
If one thing is clear, it is that the unforced errors and sluggish pace of the phase one talks should not be repeated. The government now needs to work to determine what it wants to achieve in the next phase, but most importantly, must deliver on the promise of securing a status-quo transition as soon as possible to give the business community the certainty it needs.”
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber of Commerce in the UK, providing business support to approximately 4,500 members who collectively employ 446,000 people, around one-third of Greater Manchester’s workforce.
Recognised as a leader in its field, Greater Manchester Chamber’s reputation in government circles has grown locally and nationally. At the heart of the area of greatest economic intensity outside London and the South East, the Chamber is the primary body for business support, policy, representation and networking.
The Chamber is an independent, not-for-profit private company and its aim is to support businesses and help create the best climate for the region to prosper. This is achieved by ensuring that those taking decisions on key issues such as transport, taxation and business regulation hear the voice of our members. The representation of our members’ views is central to the work of the policy team at the Chamber; these views are gathered in a range of ways including our local councils, policy committees, sector councils, the main Chamber council, focus groups, meetings with politicians and consultations.
The Chamber also offers a range of networking forums across Greater Manchester, free as part of membership, plus a variety of other events and services designed to benefit specific sectors or individuals and help businesses to grow.