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Manufacturing unions representing millions of workers yesterday (Wednesday) called on MPs to rule out a no-deal Brexit, warning that government plans to dramatically reduce tariffs on imported goods in the event of no deal would devastate the economy.

• Low and zero tariffs would put thousands of jobs at risk, warn TUC, Unite, GMB and Community
• Unions call on MPs to rule out no deal

Under the plans announced this morning, most imports into the UK would not face a tariff in the event of a no-deal Brexit, while tariffs on other goods will be dropped significantly.

The TUC, Unite, GMB and Community are warning that the plan would allow cheap imports to flood the market, putting thousands of jobs at risk and threatening key industries, such as steel, ceramics, tyres and glass.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady yesterday said:

“Ending tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit would be a hammer blow to our manufacturing industries and the communities they support.

“The government is flying blind, having introduced these plans without any consultation with the workers they will affect. We need a full and proper impact assessment.

“Ministers must not show such reckless disregard for people’s jobs.

“MPs must vote to take no deal off the table. And the prime minister needs to ditch her destructive red lines, which threaten working people’s jobs and rights.”

Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing, Steve Turner, yesterday said:

“Theresa May and her government need to stop the economic vandalism which is threatening jobs and livelihoods by properly taking a no-deal Brexit off the table and securing tariff-free frictionless trade with Europe.

“The UK’s steel industry has been pushed to the brink because of the dumping of cheap Chinese steel, while our tyre industry is fighting for survival in the face of inferior alternatives flooding the market from overseas.

“Reducing tariffs to zero on the majority of imports, including steel, in the event of a no deal Brexit would destroy jobs and leave UK manufacturers competing with both hands tied behind their backs.

“MPs must oppose this reckless move on tariffs that imperils manufacturing communities across the UK and force the government to properly take no deal off the table.”

GMB National Secretary, Jude Brimble, yesterday said:

“Liam Fox’s plan to crush tariffs takes a wrecking ball to our economy. It would risk tens of thousands of jobs in our proud ceramics industry alone.

“The Government has failed to publish any impact assessments for this disastrous scheme and has not consulted with unions and businesses affected. Their claims to be working in the national interest are today in tatters.

“This grossly irresponsible plan shows their true agenda, where jobs and communities are crushed under the heel of an extreme ideological agenda. If allowed it would inevitably lead to retribution from other countries and turn the U.K. into a Wild West economy.

“That ministers think they can get away with this grossly irresponsible plan shows why MPs of all parties must put the national interest first in preventing the U.K. leaving with no deal - and why we need much stronger democratic safeguards in all trade negotiations to prevent ministers from running riot with jobs and communities.”

General Secretary of Community, the steelworkers’ union, Roy Rickhuss, yesterday said:

“Our steel sector is the bedrock of British industry, providing thousands of good quality jobs and sustaining whole communities. The government’s plan for zero tariffs would be a fresh betrayal of British steelworkers, putting further pressure on their jobs at a difficult time for the industry.

”Community has fought long and hard to secure the future of steelmaking in this country. The government must stand with us and rule out any plan for zero tariffs and a no-deal Brexit.”

Editors note

• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 49 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.

Contacts:

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (TUC)
nnimhaoileoin@tuc.org.uk 
020 7467 1288
07771 713574

Alex Flynn (Unite)
alex.flynn@unitetheunion.org
020 3371 2066
07967665869

Jon Parker-Dean (GMB)
jon.parker-dean@gmb.org.uk
0207 391 6756

Callum Munro (Community)
cmunro@community-tu.org
0207 420 4013

TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248