Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Brexit hit to UK economy coming through faster than expected

02 Feb 2023 4 minute read
Brexit

The hit to the UK economy from Brexit is coming through faster than had previously been expected, the Bank of England deputy governor has said.

Ben Broadbent said it was still not clear whether the effects of EU withdrawal were a reason why the UK is forecast to do worse than other major economies this year.

His comments follow a warning by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Britain alone of the leading economies is expected to contract this year.

Labour said it underlined the needed for the UK to build a new trading relationship with its closest neighbour and trading partner.

Speaking at a press conference following the Bank’s latest interest rate hike, Mr Broadbent, the deputy governor for monetary policy, said they had not changed their overall assessment of the economic impact of Brexit.

He acknowledged, however, that they had not expected to see the effect on growth figures to come through quite so quickly.

“Brexit … has been something that has pulled on our potential output in our country and that’s been our assessment for many years,” he said.

“We’ve not changed our estimate of the long-running effects, but we’ve brought some of them forward and we think they’re probably coming in faster than we first expected.”

Growth

He added: “Yes it (Brexit) is having some effect on growth, although ultimately no bigger effect than we assessed some years ago.

“Based on the numbers for trade and some degree for the numbers on investment, we think these effects are coming through faster than initially envisaged.”

Overall, the Bank said that while it believed the UK was still heading for a recession, the downturn may be shorter and shallower than previously expected.

The Governor, Andrew Bailey, said Brexit was one of a series of “significant economic shocks” to have had an impact along with the Covid pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing rise in energy costs.

“These shocks have held back both productivity and labour supply,” he said.

Build bridges

For Labour, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the latest figures showed the UK needed to build bridges with Brussels.

“We do need to improve our trading relationship and the deal that we have with the European Union because the numbers today on exports, on investment … we need to turn that around,” she told BBC Radio 4’s The World At One.

“We want a stronger, more productive relationship with our nearest neighbours and trading partners.”

Earlier this week Plaid Cymru marked the third anniversary of the UK’s departure from the EU by renewing calls to re-join the single market, describing the case for doing so as “undeniable”.

MP Hywel Williams, the party’s international affairs spokesperson, also criticised the Conservative and Labour parties for not acknowledging that Brexit is “making us poorer”.

The Arfon MP said: “Three years on since leaving the European Union, and the economic harm is beyond doubt. None of the Westminster parties will tell the truth – Brexit is causing untold damage to our economy.

“Promises made in 2016 turned out to be wildly optimistic at best, plain lies at worst. And people are increasingly aware of that damage.”

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran said the UK is paying the price for the Government’s “botched” trade deal with the EU.

“When the British people are facing a cost-of-living crisis, the Government should be making it easier for small businesses, fishers, and farmers to sell their goods abroad,” she said.

“Instead, they’re tangled in red tape – sold down the river by the Conservative Government.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
1 year ago

Thanks be to the Prince of Lies Fat Shanks, perhaps we could send him, Gove and Mogg and a few more hostages to Gaul to placate Caesar…

By the way the Mig 29 is a sophisticated flying tractor, why do you think Russia is the only source of Valves in the World you lethal dunderhead…

Last edited 1 year ago by Mab Meirion
John Davis
John Davis
1 year ago

The UK is NOT paying the price for the Tories botched trade deal. The UK is paying the price for Brexit, a price which was inevitable when Brexiteers decided that the public should have a hard Brexit, something that nobody voted for. Given the result of the referendum it would have been sensible to join the EEA and try to carry the whole of the country with you, but instead Remainers were completely ignored. That was the choice of a government held ransom by the hard right ERG and voiced in May’s Lancaster House speech. Outside the SM, outside the… Read more »

Steve A Duggan
Steve A Duggan
1 year ago

Politicians need to start thinking about the economy and people’s livelihoods and less about warped ideology and the fear of losing votes. The UK is tanking and it is due primarily to Brexit, Enough is Enough ! They must start negotiations with EU – to rejoin, as soon as possible.

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.