Scottish Government
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Protecting Single Market status
Scotland calls on UK Government not to risk “a race to the bottom”
The Scottish Government is calling on the UK Government to protect single market status to avoid Scotland and the UK being driven-off a hard Brexit cliff-edge
Ahead of the British Irish Council summit in Cardiff tomorrow (Friday, 25 November), Ministers say the UK Government’s confusion is damaging the economic prospects of all the nations of the UK.
External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“A hard Brexit outside the Single Market, is the biggest threat to the economic prosperity of Scotland and all the UK.
“Despite repeated calls from the Scottish Government and other administrations who are understandably equally concerned, the UK Government is still failing to provide any transparency on their plans with only a few weeks of 2016 left.
“There is currently no confidence in the UK Government’s ability to fight for the benefits that the single market brings, including free movement of people, and all signs appear to be pointing to the fact they will choose to throw these away.
“We must not be forced into a race to the bottom in terms of standards and employment protection.
“That is why a key goal in these discussions at the British Irish Council will be to build support to push the UK Government for much-needed clarity and action.”
Background
The 28th British Irish Council Summit is taking place in Cardiff today.
The Scottish Government Ministers attending the summit are: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Minister for UK Negotiations for Scotland's Place in Europe Michael Russell, and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald.
