“Insult to Injury”

2020 has been tough for every business, with the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic wreaking havoc for all. Of course, the good health of the population is the top priority, so we look forward hugely to the benefit this will bring to us all.

However, against this background, we have to raise the issue that rubs salt in the wound for very many businesses - from the largest, to those of us operating further down the foodchain. That issue is the impact of Brexit.

This is not the place to rehearse arguments that are now in the history books - that is behind us. However, we cannot simply absorb the blows that now affect every business that either exports or imports from the EU.

Prior to Brexit, trading with the EU was as easy as selling or buying from a business or consumer five miles up the road. “Friction-free” to use the in-vogue term. In our own business, 25% of it online with the EU, it was like falling off a cliff-face:

  • We cannot tell our customers when they will receive their goods

  • We cannot guarantee that they will not be hit by unseen customs/VAT charges

  • We cannot be certain of the costs we incur

  • We can be certain that every transaction will take 15 minutes more per despatch to complete.

All of this is because our government have signed a deal, 7 days before the New Year, that is the first ever trade deal in history that makes trade harder. This is not Project Fear, this is reality. This article in the weekend papers is illustrative of the contempt and lack of honesty with which business owners have been treated.

So what is the point of committing these words to paper, apart from to vent? The purpose is to engage businesses to make certain their voices are heard: let your customers and suppliers know, tell your MP, engage the Chamber of Commerce/FSB/IOD etc.

Business has been hugely resilient in the last year and yet, despite this ongoing situation, our leaders have chosen to impart further damage through their actions. It will cost in profits, prices to UK consumers, exports and jobs.

Don’t let these effects be brushed under the carpet when the world is evidently distracted by the health crisis.