Promoting Internationalism: Annual Report 2021-2022

In their annual report published today, the cross-party and cross-industry UK Trade and Business Commission (UKTBC), has proposed 21 concrete interventions aimed at improving cooperation and trade between the UK and our closest neighbours. The recommendations will help the many business sectors that continue to bear the burden of costly red tape and barriers to trade, which are artificially increasing costs for them and consumers at a time when global events threaten to hike costs even further. The proposals are also aimed at removing points of political tension including around the Northern Ireland Protocol. The recommendations include: A comprehensive EU-UK Veterinary Agreement that would significantly reduce burdens for many exporting and importing businesses across the food and drink industry. A successor to the Brexit Support Fund with a simpler application process and more substantial grants after the original fund paid out only £6.8m of the £20m set aside to support businesses A long-term plan to improve UK-EU trade and relations with a focus on reducing obstacles and increasing the UKs reputation as a reliable partner More flexible visa rules for seasonal workers, service industries and the creative sector. A more defined process and increased scrutiny of new trade deals including new bodies to assess the impact they will have on UK standards and zero-carbon ambitions The report is based on evidence gathered from almost 100 witnesses from both sides of the Brexit divide, over 17 sessions and 34 hours of testimony. It is released as the ONS is expected to disclose trade statistics for January 2022, the first since the introduction of new import checks at the beginning of this year.