Brexit, industry and strengthening the economy: EEF responds to the Queen’s speech

Yesterday, Her Majesty the Queen delivered her highly anticipated yet slightly delayed speech to the members of both Houses of Parliament. Within a focus on Brexit and its implications for the country, the speech detailed the need to support the economy and maintain the UK’s leading industrial position.

The Queen stated that the ‘government’s priority is to secure the best possible deal as the country leaves the European Union’. To achieve this, it was noted that ministers in Westminster will need to work with devolved administrations, businesses and others to ensure the country’s future outside the EU was considered as thoroughly as possible.

“A bill will be introduced to repeal the European Communities Act and provide certainty for individuals and businesses,” the Queen continued. “This will be complemented by legislation to ensure that the United Kingdom makes a success of Brexit […] My government will seek to maintain a deep and special partnership with European allies and to forge new trading relationships across the globe. New bills on trade and customs will help to implement an independent trade policy, and support will be given to help British businesses export to markets around the world.”

Furthermore, there was an emphasis for the government ‘to attract investment in infrastructure to support economic growth’. “Legislation will be introduced to ensure the United Kingdom remains a world leader in new industries […],” the Queen stated.

It was specified that there will be a priority to build a more unified country with social, economic and cultural bonds between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales strengthened by the government. Moreover, the Queen added, “My ministers will ensure that the United Kingdom’s leading role on the world stage is maintained and enhanced as it leaves the European Union.”

Responding to the speech, the chief executive of the manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, Terry Scuoler said: “Manufacturers were looking for signs that the government is listening to their concerns over Brexit and the Queen’s speech has moved some way to achieving this. We need to hear more from the PM that she is pressing for tariff-free trade, minimising uncertainty over customs and that companies will be able to employ the people with the range of skills they need, from the UK, Europe or elsewhere.

“We need to know, quickly, how the benefits of the single market and customs union are going to be maintained during the complex period of untangling ourselves from EU membership and coming up with some form of trade agreement. Many questions still remain unanswered, however, and there must be a much closer partnership if we’re to avoid economic chaos when we leave the EU.

“Industry will warmly welcome the commitment to strengthen the economy with a modern industrial strategy, help for exports and investment in infrastructure. We now need to see concrete plans on how government plans to deliver the strategy as a matter of urgency to offset the potential impact of Brexit and political uncertainty,” Scuoler concluded.