SCC Comment on UK Government’s Brexit White Paper

Commenting on the release of the UK Government’s White Paper on the future UK-EU relationship, Liz Cameron OBE, Director & Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The release of the much-anticipated White Paper, and subsequent statement by recently appointed Secretary of State Dominic Raab, has started to provide more of an understanding of what the future UK-EU relationship will look like.

“We welcome the detail provided on the UK Government’s approach to mobility, including the statement of intent to operate a UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme and visa-free travel for tourism and short-term business activity. However, with Scottish industries including hospitality, manufacturing, oil and gas, and food processing benefiting from the pool of EU talent, we need urgent clarity on the longer-term arrangements for the recruitment of workers from EU and non-EU countries.

“The UK Government must adopt pace and momentum: business wants to see this White Paper evolve swiftly into an Action Plan, giving firms the time to make critical investment and planning decisions. Unanswered questions still remain, and business communities across Scotland will need answers on the practical realities of the new arrangements.

“UK and European leaders must play their part and approach these negotiations with an open mind, and fully engage with businesses when designing the new economic arrangements between the UK and EU.”