There must be an adjustment period to give businesses breathing space post Brexit as deal details still hazy, Liberal Democrats demand

"Giant car parks in Kent, French customs officials saying that unless all paperwork is in order lorry drivers will have a hard time with vital exports and imports - but what is actually needed? Nobody knows because the transition to new UK-EU trade arrangements STILL hasn't been agreed, only a few weeks before the end of the lengthy transition period," Robin Ashby, who speaks for Newcastle Liberal Democrats on business matters has said. "Despite a glossy advertising campaign by the Government, details are hazy at best"

The Liberal Democrats are urging the Prime Minister to negotiate an "Adjustment Period" as part of the deal with the EU, to ensure British businesses have enough time to prepare for the new trading relationship with Europe.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Liberal Democrats Leader Ed Davey MP warns of a potentially "existential" threat to businesses if they are not given time to adjust and argue that - by phasing-in new rules, regulations and procedures - businesses would have the "breathing space" they need to prepare and adapt. He said :

"Businesses cannot afford to be hit with the double whammy of Covid and disrupted trade with Europe, our biggest trading partner. With job losses already mounting, the danger is unemployment will rise still further in the new year, unless urgent action is taken.

"Despite months of negotiations, businesses are still in the dark about the details of their future trading relationship with Europe. With just weeks to go and our economy on its knees, this is inexcusable.

"The Prime Minister must urgently recognise what's in the best interests of British businesses, and secure a time-bound adjustment period to allow firms to adapt to new trade arrangements and save jobs."