Exports to the EU 2023-06-29
2023-06-29
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is requesting detailed export figures to assess the UK's relationship with the EU. These numbers are critical for evaluating the economic consequences of Brexit.
What was the value of exports to the EU in (a) 2016, (b) 2019 and (c) the last year for which data is available?
The value of UK exports, measured in current prices, to the EU—including goods and services—was £247 billion in 2016, £298 billion in 2019, and £340 billion in 2022. The EU remains the UK's largest export market, receiving 42% of UK exports in 2022.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is challenging the notion that leaving the EU has negatively impacted UK economic performance, citing current high employment levels and strong export figures.
That is all very interesting, because during the Brexit referendum, “Project Fear” told us that if we left the EU, millions of people would lose their jobs, our exports would collapse, and the economy would go into freefall. Here in 2023, with us outside the European Union, employment is at record highs and unemployment at record lows, the eurozone is in recession and we are not, and our exports to the EU are at record levels. Is it not now demonstrably true that we are always going to be better off out?
The UK's total exports have recovered to pre-pandemic levels measured against 2018. In 2022 UK exports were £815 billion, up 21% in current prices and up 0.5% once adjusted for inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked if being outside the EU benefits economically but received only general export figures without a direct acknowledgment of economic benefits.
Referenced Churchill'S Quote To Deflect From Economic Performance
Did Not Directly Answer About Economic Benefit
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is raising concerns about the negative impact of Brexit on UK businesses, particularly SMEs, citing specific examples such as increased product delivery times to Germany.
Last month it was not inflation that halved but exports of fruit to the EU. The British Chambers of Commerce has reported more small and medium-sized enterprises are seeing exports falling than rising; Britain has lowest export rates in G7. When a business tells me it used to take three days for products to reach shelves in Germany and now takes 30, is it not fair to conclude that government failed on the economy, no plan to make Brexit work and businesses pay price?
In my conversations this week at the OECD conference on SMEs, nations around the world were crying out to do business with the UK. We are leading a whole-of-Government effort to remove 100 market access barriers, including those arising in Europe, worth more than £20 billion.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about government failure on the economy but received information unrelated to acknowledging economic failings or addressing specific concerns raised.
Changed Subject To Global Business Interest In Uk
Did Not Directly Address Export Issues Faced By Smes
Response accuracy