WIREDGOV

A year ahead of the scheduled departure of the UK from the EU, uncertainty surrounding the nature of the future EU27-UK relationship complicates the process of adjustment for many EU regions.

The CoR has published a report in Brussels detailing the consequences of Brexit on trade and the economy in the EU27 regions & cities.  Based heavily on data gathered from a joint survey with EUROCHAMBRES, the report reveals a lack of awareness, information & preparation and recommends greater flexibility in state aid rules and inter-regional cooperation.

This uncertainty which was also not eased out by the latest transition deal is compounded in many cases by a lack of analysis of the likely impact on local economies.  In turn, this restricts local & regional authorities’ capacity to formulate strategies to address the adverse effects of the UK leaving the EU on their economies.

The results of both this report and the CoR's territorial impact assessment show that there will be no winner from Brexit and that Europe's local & regional authorities already know it.  …….Regions in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain also anticipate a severe impact.  

The report …… highlights the importance of continued inter-regional cooperation between EU27 and UK regions post-Brexit and the need for territorial cooperation programmes and macro-regional strategies to share information and pool resources.

Editorial Comment; It seems the 27 countries (if not the EC) are beginning to realise that they might not ‘hold all the cards’ in the negotiations! 

Also, why still no mention of why the RoI and NI need a ‘frictionless’ border for trade (Common Travel Area RoI / UK citizens already agreed) when 80% of goods carried in Irish registered HGVs between the RoI and Europe pass through Welsh ports?  In 2016, 524,000 lorries passed through major Welsh ports to & from the Irish Republic.

Why should the RoI – NI trade border be any different after Brexit, to that of the RoI – Wales trade border, when both are covered by the Common Travel Area?  Surely common sense would suggest something like the successful US – Canada hi-tech border controls system provide the answer for not just the RoI – UK borders, but also the other UK – EU trade ‘borders’, combined with a tariff free trade agreement.

One final thought; While the RoI and the EC keep threatening us with the consequences of not ‘giving in’ to THEIR demands, why are we not pointing out some of the consequences for the RoI if no agreement is reached and they end up having to pay WTO tariffs for exports to & through NI & Wales and even possible closure of the Common Travel Area agreement?

The number of hospital admissions due to an older person falling is set to rise to nearly 1,000 a day by the end of the decade, according to figures obtained by the Local Government Association.

The worrying forecast has prompted renewed calls by council leaders for more funding for adult social care to invest in cost-effective prevention work to reduce falls, which can have devastating & life-threatening consequences on a person’s health & wellbeing.

Changes to fire & smoke alarm regulations.  Following a consultation on fire & smoke alarms, the existing standard required in private rented housing will be extended to all homes in Scotland.

From April 2018, people will be able to claim up to £57,200 annually to help pay for additional support that they may need in the workplace – approximately £15,000 more than the current cap of £42,100.

Is the Welsh government so desperate to overturn the EU Referendum result that they have to ‘consult 7 year olds, of which (if the stats. are to be believed) a significate number cannot even read & write to a satisfactory level or perhaps even know where Brussels is?

No mention in the press release just how they will ensure the results are not skewed by biased questions from ‘Children in wales’ by ensuring the organisers are not made up primarily of ‘Remoaners’!

No mention of how they will ensure that the child participants have not been ‘pre-biased’ by parents & teachers.