techUK tells peers sector needs maximum market access

25 Oct 2016 01:50 PM

Deputy CEO Antony Walker highlights key issues to Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee inquiry on the impact of Brexit on the trade in services.

techUK’s Deputy CEO, Antony Walker, told peers on the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee that the digital economy thrives on scale so maximum access to the single market is vital for UK tech to fulfil its growth potential. Other issues Antony raised include:

• Regulatory divergence poses a substantial risk for UK tech: The timing of some major pieces of European legislation for the telecoms and digital sectors raises potential divergence challenges for the UK. The European Electronic Communications Code is likely to come into effect in mid-2019 and will include wholesale changes for the telecoms sector. The UK will have to decide quickly how it wants to tackle emerging differences with European law and how this may affect trade agreements, ahead of passing the Great Repeal Act.
• Using our remaining influence to create an effective DSM: The current package of measures risks creating a series of non-tariff barriers for the UK once we leave the EU. The free flow of data is a clear example where the UK must act to maintain international data flows or else risk a significant barrier for the digital economy. The UK must use its remaining political capital in Brussels to shape the DSM in such a way as to mitigate any potential post-Brexit growth barriers.
• Access to international talent is a priority: The UK cannot have a world-leading tech sector without the world’s best and brightest. Antony stressed that the UK currently lacks the skills to fill all the positions available in the UK that make us the leading digital economy in Europe. Failure to ensure access to skills will significantly hamper UK tech.

There remains work to be done in understanding the various options for the new trade relationship with Europe. This is a hugely complex area and one where the Government must not fall back on easy solutions, such as reverting to WTO rules. The panel were unanimous that any new agreement must mitigate the risks of diminished access to the single market. techUK is commissioning a piece of work on this topic to make sure we make the best case for UK tech as the Government embarks on the Article 50 negotiations.

You can watch the full evidence session here:

 

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