Dear John,

The barebones deal is hitting businesses and consumers alike.

The double whammy impact of COVID and post-Brexit trade is just beginning.

The Federation of Small Businesses warn 250,000 small enterprises will fold in 2021 from COVID plus Brexit. Northern Irish customers faced empty supermarket shelves this week, as mountains of Brexit bureaucracy sent the nation’s supply chains into chaos.

Now is not the time to say “I told you so” - even though we all warned the government this would happen. We must do what we can to help British businesses bounce back, and help salvage livelihoods.

Contact your MP today, and urge them to cut red tape at the border. There are common-sense solutions, like simplifying VAT import charges, which would massively boost trade.

Let’s start building on this deal, brick by brick. Send your message today.

There are no longer miles of trucks queueing through Kent, but that’s not something to be pleased about. Traffic volumes are far lower than they should be. Lorries seem to be keeping away from the port of Dover, as trade with Europe slows.

It’s not just the extra paperwork. The last-minute nature of the deal means many hauliers are still in the dark as to what permits they need to cross into Europe. Drivers are being turned away.

And don’t let anyone tell you we have tariff-free trading with Europe.

Complex new mechanisms decide whether an item was primarily manufactured in the UK, and therefore can be traded tariff-free. In reality, one fifth of UK exports are subject to tariffs. These new ‘rules of origin’ have hit the food and drink sector particularly hard.

Send a message to your MP, and ask them to end unnecessary Brexit bureaucracy at the border. Simplifying UK VAT import changes, which are now some of the most burdensome in the world, is a low-cost solution to boost post-Brexit trade. Send your message now.

Brexit is done. COVID is here. Nothing can completely undo their profound damage to our country. But there are simple steps the government should be taking to lessen the double whammy on Britain. 

Let’s start building this country back, one step at a time.

Best wishes,

Cary Mitchell,
Director of Operations, Best for Britain