Brexit Makes the UK Poorer, Letter Published in the Echo Thursday 4th August

Dear Editor,

I note that Mr Chalk, MP for Cheltenham, in his ECHO column, supports Rishi Sunak in his leadership bid as he thinks Mr Sunak will get a grip on inflation. Mr Chalk goes on to say – ‘That’s because pandemic-induced inflation, currently near 10% and forecast to go even higher, weakens the economy.’

From what I understand about inflation in the UK, the pandemic is certainly a contributory factor but there are also other factors such as the war in Ukraine, global supply chain disruptions and Brexit.

This government won’t talk about the elephant in the room – this idealogical and hard Brexit is having an adverse effect on the UK economy. Brexit is driving inflation higher in the UK than in other European countries after similar pandemic and supply problems. Brexit has caused reduced numbers and flexibility in the workforce as well as increased trade barriers both with tariff and non tariff requirements as well as difficulties in transporting goods at ports.

What is becoming clearer every day is that Brexit is making the UK poorer.

Your sincerely

Sarah Moliver