Hinkley Point C, which is the UK’s first nuclear powerstation to be developed in over twenty years, may not be finished until 2031 and could cost up to £35bn, almost double the initial cost estimate. / According to EDF, the French firm in charge of developing the site, issues on the project had been caused by Brexit, the Pandemic and inflation.
When the government announced this year it would indefinitely delay plans to force UK companies to adopt a new post-Brexit quality mark, the UKCA, Simon Blackham, of the insulation maker Recticel, was delighted. “Yes! An outbreak of common sense,” he recalls thinking. / His joy was short-lived, however.
A new survey by the British Chamber of Commerce's Insights Unit of 733 businesses (97% SMEs) shows the difficulties facing British firms in using the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) have not eased.
The year in Brexit
20/12/2023
The past 12 months have been littered with grandiose claims about the benefits of Brexit and the ability of the UK to demand what it wants from the EU. But the sad and inescapable conclusion is that none of those benefits exist and that the UK has been forced into a number of embarrassing retreats and compromises.
CE marking recognition extended “indefinitely” for certain products – what does the future hold for UKCA marking?
17/08/2023
On 1 August 2023, the UK Government announced an “indefinite” extension to the recognition of CE marking for certain products placed on the market in Great Britain.
Brexit and the red tape explosion
16/08/2023
Helmuth Porschen ponders the fate of UKCA and wonders why the government can’t persuade the rest of the world to adopt British standards.
A brutal Financial Times investigation has unveiled the “all pain no gain” trading conditions many British businesses face post-Brexit.
In the latest Brexit step-down, many goods will now have indefinite CE mark recognition – but MHRA keeps 2028 and 2030 cut-offs for medical devices.
Despite claims over taking back control, UK is forced to comply with rules on which it has no say.
He said the move "hugely reduces" the risk of post-Brexit divergence on product standards between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
CE symbol due to stay after government U-turn.
Adoption of Britain-only rival to EU’s CE designation postponed ‘indefinitely’, say ministers.
The UK government has decided to recognise the EU's product safety symbol indefinitely, in a post-Brexit climbdown. / From the end of next year, goods such as light bulbs and toys were meant to carry a new UK-only mark to be sold in Great Britain.
The government has quietly admitted Singapore-on-Thames is dead.
The U.K. government backs down amid pressure from concerned firms. / British businesses will be allowed to continue to use the European Union's safety mark indefinitely, the U.K. government announced Tuesday — in a climbdown from previous post-Brexit plans.
Britain on Tuesday said it would retain the European 'CE' safety mark for products indefinitely rather than scrap it following the country's departure from the European Union, in a move welcomed by businesses as a pragmatic step.
Rishi Sunak’s government said companies can use the European Union’s product safety mark indefinitely, a climbdown on a post-Brexit plan to enforce the UK’s own standard that was criticized by businesses.
Rishi Sunak is facing fresh demands to improve the UK’s Brexit deal with the EU.
Drawing on my professional experience, here we explore how post Brexit Britain has become a challenge for international businesses, and domestic businesses, importing products for sale in the UK.
British Chambers of Commerce presents government with urgent recommendations as members report struggling to sell into EU.
Years after Britain quit the European Union, its businesses are still suffering from lower sales as red tape makes it harder to export to the 27-nation bloc.
Meanwhile former Cabinet minister George Eustice questioned the negotiating strategy that led to the Australia and New Zealand trade deals.
Brexit has "permanently damaged" the UK economy, former Bank of England policymaker Michael Saunders warned as London was deposed as Europe's biggest stock market.
The UK delayed the roll-out of new post-Brexit product safety marking in order to stave off extra costs for companies that are already under pressure due to rising inflation and expected tax rises.
Businesses had protested that the ‘UKCA’ quality mark represented pointless and costly red tape.