Business secretary confirms post-Brexit review of UK workers' rights

we could have done all this without leaving the EU. we could have been better. Your own government could have been better.

 

And if we did resurrect and expand our manufacturing sector (into bulk rather than specialized as it is now), where do we get the raw materials from? The extractive industries in the UK (except oil and gas) are worth about £1.8bn - not much larger than fishing and that includes forestry. These raw materials are now a lot more complex to import from our nearest markets.

As a generalization, we are a nation of doers, not a nation of makers - and we've made it harder to do stuff for other people. Which is were we were very successful and had a large surplus. The entire manufacturing sector accounts for around £400bn per year, but a lot of that - cars and planes are prime examples - were parts made in one country, assembled in the UK then moved to a third country for the next stage of manufacture. Adding extra costs/paperwork to these chains is more likely to see the UK part of the process moved back into the EU at our loss.

Our services sector accounts for around £2tn per year. 5x that of manufacturing. Why couldn't we get our young people good jobs in IT, finance, legal services, business consultancy and the rest?

 

I'd guess Priti Patel cheered - although her family fled Uganda before Idi Amin.

 

Notwithstanding the fact that Thatcher put all our eggs in one basket and decimated manufacturing in favour of financial service industry, successive Governments have never shown any signs of trying to reverse the trend. Heavy industry was in decline anyway... Surpluses of Steel and heavily subsidised supplies of the same from other countries, a subsequent reduction in the need for coal replaced by natural gas then favoured as a cleaner fuel as environmental pressure increased (in spite of World leading clean burn technology developed in the UK) meant the shift away from mining and steel was going to happen anyway. The problem, as has often been stated, was no Plan 'B' so skilled workers were thrown on the scrapheap or given lower paid employment with 'token jobs' in call centres etc.

On the subject of protection for workers, the Govt Minister has categorically stated that there will NOT be any scrapping of workers rights whilst the Opposition has asserted that the floodgates will open and erode current protections. Depends on your politics who you believe as there is no actual evidence to support either side.
Obviously if it ain't broke don't fix it so any talk of change supports Milliband's argument. However on the other side of the coin. Even when in the EU UK Workers rights exceed the EU standards and many other member states so the Cons could easily have changed them (including the 48 hours directive). You are aware that quite a few member states are not signed up to that directive?

It is perfectly understandable that the life experiences of many on this board and particularly those that lived and worked under the Thatcher 'Reign' are heavily influenced by those experiences. Nevertheless, all too often predictions of this type often turn out to be untrue. Even, dare I say it ( the 'B' word' ) has already caused predictions of total destruction of the economy and UK way of life. Initial relatively short term issues (some of which have already been resolved and some that are yet to be resolved) are being used to 'confirmation that those predictions have come true. In reality it is far too early to determine, in the long term, what issues and benefits will result. Any changes, particularly on this scale, inevitably cause problems. Spending (wasting) time looking back and complaining what might have been benefits no-one. The decision has been made and acted upon. Now is the time to look forward, take a pragmatic approach and address the problems and make things work.

As the old saying goes ...."If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem."

 

As many businesses have identified, many issues are not a short term blip. Registering for VAT in every country you trade and every EU residing trader selling into the UK is not going to go away. Rules of origin are not going to go away. Added red tape is not going to go away.

People are getting on with it, but rightly highlighting the issues that are faced and the new reality.

As mentioned numerous times, people will not spite themselves to say I told you so if it harms their futures and those of their family.

The world will keep on turning, but it will be harder than it was before and our major market is disrupted. Costs are increasing. Choice is reducing.

Thats the new reality. What laws get changed and what attempts are made to renege on a level of harmony with Europe will evolve over time. But given the record of DePfeffel the deceitful, I think its wise to expect the worst and for him to lie while he delivers it.

 

I agree many procedural changes are permanent and inevitably complex. e.g. zero VAT rated exports to EU could be ignored but must now be accounted in VAT invoices even if 0% VAT is payable. That is just one small example. Many of these will be incorporated into IT software changes and processes and, yes , it is a headache for businesses particularly small ones that export. Initially additional costs will be incurred making those changes. Nevertheless no more is expected of the UK businesses than any non-EU member state business exporting to the EU. . Eventually the changes will be absorbed into the system and ongoing EU/UK talks will eventually iron out some of the initial anomalies and issues (on both sides).
One example is the whole process of Visa requirements and rather ridiculous rules like technical crew drivers in Music or Theatrical Tours having to return to the UK for a set period of time if they have visited 2 EU countries in any given period. Again though, Touring companies and bands from countries outside the EU have managed these obstacles for years so it is obviously do-able. Several high profile artists have stated as much. We toured Europe regularly for a few years well before Free movement and whilst I do not recall the need for Visas, the carnets were a pain in teh ar*e but do-able and that in the days pre-IT systems and with separate manned borders/customs points at every country in Europe requiring rubber stamping of documents leaving and entering. The Sky is not going to fall in. The high profile 'ham sandwiches confiscation' is a little OTT but does fall within the rules that all non-EU imports have to abide by and is the same rule as bringing meat/dairy for personal consumption into the UK from non-EU countries that has existed for years. Perhaps if they swap it for crabmeat, prawns, sardines, tuna or pilchards crabsticks etc. they may have better luck since seafood and fish are not on the list. Eggs are also permitted so if, as the report stated, they were confiscated then the official was mis-applying the rules. Egg mayonnaise, eggs in salad OK. Ham salad with egg NOT OK!

 

Yes, we are on the same footing as non EU businesses. Our biggest market. A 3rd country. And as a result we are worse off than if we were a member.

There may be some harmonies, some tweaks (though the government shouted down a question asking for touring groups to have access without visa, to the point where the govt suggested the EU wouldnt allow it, despite it being widely reported the UK blocked it... transcripts have been requested, though of course, they'll not materialise or be heavily redacted.)

But the issues remain. Costs are higher, choice is less, bureaucracy is increased. That's what Brexit is.

 

As I said though, much of this is teething problems and down to lack of preparedness by exporters (albeit not all their fault having had the 'deal' sprung upon them). That said I find the BBC's stance on the article about an exporters Meat rotting (Containers of Pork) rotting on the quayside in Rotterdam odd and which contained the following strange statement..

" There are a growing number of meat companies having problems at the borders, according to industry body the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).

Nick Allen, its chief executive, says that UK meat exporters are starting to lose customers due to the delays.

"If people think they can find the meat somewhere else they will," he says. "If France sees they aren't being supplied with pigs by the UK then they can get them from Romania or New Zealand. It is already starting to happen."

Since New Zealand is NOT as far as I am aware in the EU, and in fact, halfway around the World with all the subsequent shipping costs PLUS the meat must be frozen so therefore not a comparable product since the containers referenced as being stuck in Rotterdam must therefore be chilled fresh meat. I hardly see meat companies (particularly French ones) rushing to import frozen meat from New Zealand. Incorrectly completed or missing paperwork is the reason for the problems. However complex any competent business should ensure the documentation is in order before committing to exporting perishable goods. New Zealand meat exporters not being in the EU must have the same hurdles to clear so if they can do it then why can't the UK exporters? The BMPA should like any professional body should IMO be providing help , and consultancy to its members rather than bemoaning the fact that they are 'losing business'.

 

And as I said though, much of these are not teething problems and will remain. The cost for people to use CHIEF is not a teething problem. The removal of the customs union and single market are not teething problems. The lengthy documentation is not a teething problem (though completing it may well be to some degree). The VAT changes and registration is not a teething problem and Rule of Origin is a permanent mechanism.

This is the deal DePfeffel agreed to and lets not get into the absolute shambles because of a politicians brinkmanship.

This is Brexit.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/politic...s-rights-post-brexit-is-axed-in-sudden-u-turn

Hashtag U turn.

 

The question is... is it just a u-turn on the review, or is it a signal that there won't be any changes to workers rights at all? Kwarteng is a firm believer in stripping back workers rights and employment regulations, so its a very odd thing to have done after only saying it would go ahead in the last week.

 

On reading this this morning it looked to me like someone had been leaned on. Proceeding with this at this time could cost them their 'red wall' votes and also invite further criticism from the Scots Nats, who would link it to Brexit and the Scottish independence issue.