MPA updates Brexit priorities

After consultation with its members, the MPA has released a list of six priorities including: building confidence for investment, boosting growth, maximizing access to markets, maintaining access to labour and skills, maintaining regulatory and standards equivalence, and rebalancing regulation post-Brexit.

“Government should seize every opportunity to build confidence in the short and long term performance of the UK economy and maintain stability,” the MPA said in a statement. “Every effort must also be made to seek the fullest access to European and non-European markets, using comprehensive free trade agreements in preference to adopting WTO rules.”

The MPA also noted that, on average, 3% of the mineral products industry’s workforce comes from the EU, increasing to 9% for activities related to freight transportation by road.

Currently, there is no guarantee that EU citizens now resident in the UK will have a continuing right to reside in and work in the UK following Brexit, the MPA continued. This uncertainty needs resolution at the earliest opportunity if current skills shortages are not to be exacerbated.

“Hopefully, the next 2 years will see the political rhetoric give way to a more practical and pragmatic approach which not only protects the UK economy, but enables it to thrive,” said Nigel Jackson, CEO of the MPA. “In these challenging times, it is very important that all stakeholders work together to constructively develop a UK negotiating strategy which will bolster confidence and encourage investment.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/03032017/mpa-updates-brexit-priorities/