Business groups outline principles for UK trade policy

12 Jun 2019

Business groups, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have set out 'core principles' for UK trade policy post-Brexit.

The business groups' letter to the government, which has also been signed by consumer association Which? and the Fairtrade Foundation, states that trade 'can be a powerful tool to increase and share prosperity in the UK and around the world'. According to the business groups, the government needs to build a trade policy which:

• helps every region in the UK to grow, raise living standards, promote good jobs and fair pay
• upholds and enforces international labour standards and human rights
• maintains consumer rights and standards
• ensures fair and transparent dispute resolution
• reinforces the UK's global reputation for environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion.

In the letter, the business groups said: 'We are committed to working with each other – and with all politicians – to achieve these goals and draw up practical guidance to make them a reality. This is the best way of creating an inclusive trade policy for the UK that workers, businesses and communities will benefit from.'