Businesses warn of price rises after Chancellor vows no EU alignment

Businesses have warned of price rises after Chancellor Sajid Javid vowed that there will be no alignment with EU regulations after Brexit.

The Treasury would not lend support to manufacturers that favour EU rules as the sector has had three years to prepare for Britain’s transition, Mr Javid said in an interview with the Financial Times.

Mr Javid urged businesses to “adjust” and said that while some will benefit others will not.

He added: “There will not be alignment, we will not be a ruletaker, we will not be in the single market and we will not be in the customs union — and we will do this by the end of the year.

“We’re… talking about companies that have known since 2016 that we are leaving the EU.

“Admittedly they didn’t know the exact terms.”

But the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) warned that no regulatory alignment with the EU after Brexit could lead to price rises.

Its chief operating officer Tim Rycroft added: “Food and drink manufacturers will be deeply concerned by the Chancellor’s suggestion that there will not be regulatory alignment with the EU post-Brexit.

“This represents the death knell for frictionless trade.

“It will mean businesses will have to adjust to costly new checks, processes and procedures, that will act as a barrier to frictionless trade with the EU and may well result in price rises.”

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said alignment supports jobs and competitiveness for many firms.

Its director general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn said: “Business welcomes the Chancellor’s ambitious vision for the economy and recognises there are areas where the UK can benefit from its future right to diverge from EU regulation.

“However we urge Government not to treat this right as an obligation to diverge.

“For some firms, divergence brings value, but for many others, alignment supports jobs and competitiveness – particularly in some of the most deprived regions of the UK.”

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said its priority was to avoid “expensive tariffs and other behind-the-border barriers” between the UK and EU that limit market access.

Its chief executive Mike Hawes added: “Both sides want a thriving sector and we want to work with Government to help reach a mutually beneficial arrangement on regulation that safeguards UK manufacturing and consumer choice by allowing vehicles built in the UK to be sold in the EU and vice versa without additional requirements that would add billions to the cost of development.

“It is important, therefore, that we have early sight of the details of the Government’s ambitions so we can evaluate any impact on our competitiveness and the future of volume manufacturing in the UK.”

Mr Javid admitted that some businesses may not benefit from Brexit, but added that the UK economy would ultimately continue to thrive in the long-term.

“Once we’ve got this agreement in place with our European friends, we will continue to be one of the most successful economies on Earth,” he said.

Mr Javid will have the opportunity to sell his vision for Britain’s economy post-Brexit when he travels to Davos next week for the World Economic Forum.

Acting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Chancellor “must take the blinkers off” and listen to industry.

He added: “Major industries across the country have time and again made clear that pan-European regulatory alignment has been a success in supporting the creation and retention of millions of jobs.

“To risk all that in favour of narrow ideological ends is a real slap in the face. It is the height of irresponsibility for which the British public will be forced to pay.”

The Chancellor also hinted there might be tax rises in the March Budget or autumn, telling the Financial Times that he was determined to take the “hard decisions you need to sometimes, especially at the start of a new government”.

But when asked specifically about taxation he said: “You’ll have to wait for the Budget.”