Boris Johnson's Post-Brexit Trade Deal at Risk of Eroding Workers' Rights and Environmental Protections

Strategic Insights -

The UK's post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union has been met with criticism from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank, which warns that the agreement leaves workers' rights and environmental protections at risk of erosion. The deal's commitment to not decrease current standards in a bid to gain an unfair competitive advantage is "considerably weaker than expected" and sets a high bar for proof, making it unlikely to prevent the UK Government from weakening EU-derived labour and environmental policies. This could lead to disruption to trade flows, including at the border, and slow the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has warned that the post-Brexit trade deal with the EU leaves workers' rights and environmental protections at risk of erosion.
  • The deal's commitment to not decrease current standards is "considerably weaker than expected" and sets a very high bar for proof, making it unlikely to prevent the UK Government from weakening EU-derived labour and environmental policies.
  • Marley Morris, a director focusing on trade and EU relations at the IPPR, stated that this leaves protections for workers, climate, and the environment at serious risk of being eroded.
  • The UK has watered down the level playing field requirements to secure only limited benefits in market access, which will lead to a blow to trade.
  • The deal is likely to create major trade barriers with the UK's closest neighbour, inhibiting growth and slowing the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
  • A Government spokesman responded that ministers are "fully committed" to upholding the "high standards" agreed in the trade deal.
  • Boris Johnson denied that the UK would regress on workers' rights and environmental standards, stating that the UK won't "immediately send children up chimneys" or "pour raw sewage all over its beaches."
  • The trade deal was published in full on Boxing Day, less than a week before its implementation, and has been the subject of a hasty analysis.

Statistics:

  • The trade deal is 1,246 pages long.
  • The UK has watered down the level playing field requirements to secure only limited benefits in market access.
  • The deal will likely lead to disruption to trade flows, including at the border.
  • The analysis warns that the deal will likely lead to slower growth and a more prolonged economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources:

  • Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
  • Sunday Telegraph
  • Business Staff newsdesk@heraldexpress.co.uk