[Credit: House of Commons photographer Jess Taylor. ]
Bath’s Lib-Dem MP, Wera Hobhouse, has attacked the government for downplaying potential rising costs for consumers and small businesses, as new Brexit checks threaten to hike costs for food importers.
Following a statement made by the Secretary for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, on the UK’s trade performance on 1st May, Mrs Hobhouse grilled the government on the impact of new Brexit checks on consumers and small businesses.
Food importers from the EU into Britain have reported that recently introduced post-Brexit checks could see their costs rise by up to 60%. This has the potential to cause prices for customers to rocket, and could put local shops out of business.
The Bath MP demanded assurances from the Secretary for Business and Trade that consumers and small businesses would be protected from heightened costs as a result of new Brexit checks. Kemi Badenoch failed to provide any reassurance for local businesses or consumers in Bath, suggesting that the government had introduced these checks to “maintain standards”.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:
“While the Conservatives attempt to paint a rosy picture of the UK’s trade performance and downplay the threat of rising consumer costs, the facts tell a different story.
“There is a worrying risk that these new Brexit checks will put many small businesses in jeopardy, as prices rocket for consumers and local shops struggle to keep their doors open. This could threaten many of the local businesses in Bath that are essential to our city’s charm and thriving community spirit.
“It is imperative that the government prevent consumers and small business owners being hit the hardest by protecting them from these staggering costs.”
