Scottish Chambers of Commerce has welcomed the announcement of progress on a transitional agreement between the EU and the UK. The deal will see the implementation period end on 31 December 2020, earlier than the UK’s previous intended date of March 2021.
Commenting on the deal, Liz Cameron OBE, Director & Chief Executive, said:
"Today’s agreement will offer some respite to business, providing an assurance that businesses can continue with their day-to-day operations and view today’s deal as an opportunity to plan ahead.
"Of particular note, is the progress made on the ability of businesses to recruit and retain European nationals on similar terms during the transition period, providing much needed certainty to migrant workers, and allowing businesses to continue to attract talent from across the EU.
"It is encouraging to see the UK and the EU are in agreement on the importance and need for continuity in existing trade agreements and the priority must now be to secure agreement from our shared trading partners to retain the status quo on existing EU free trade agreements. Business will play its part in signing new trade agreements alongside government but a parallel priority must be to retain market access with our existing partners."
“Whilst we welcome the progress that is being made, there is still work to be done. The shorter transition period emphasises the need to put rhetoric aside, and for both the EU and UK Governments to ensure that the swift progress is made towards a final transition deal."
Scottish Chambers of Commerce
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce is at the heart of Scotland’s largest and most influential business to business network.
