London, UK: The FTA is unhappy about the government’s refusal to consider an extension to the Brexit transition period.
Earlier this week a Downing Street official had insisted that there were no circumstances in which the UK would delay its departure from the relationship with the bloc beyond December 31 2020, despite the disruption to the negotiations caused by the coronavirus crisis.
“We will not ask to extend the transition,” said a government official. And, if the EU asks, we will say no. Extending the transition would simply prolong the negotiations, prolong business uncertainty, and delay the moment of control of our borders.”
Elizabeth de Jong, policy director, FTA said: “We are disappointed that government refuses to consider a Brexit transition extension. Logistics businesses are fully involved in keeping the country supplied through the Covid-19 pandemic and have no capacity to prepare and invest for future trading conditions, with many questions still to work through.”
