No-deal Brexit will lead to planes being grounded, job losses and gridlock at our ports
4 min read
The government needs to prioritise the aviation and port sectors and get the best deal to allow these vital sectors to continue to grow, writes shadow transport minister Karl Turner
We are now just months away from exiting the EU and, as the days pass, the risk of a no-deal Brexit becomes closer to reality. The prime minister’s Chequers plan does not look like it will have the support to make it through the House of Commons and even if it does, all the soundings suggest that it will be rejected by the EU. A no-deal would be a disaster for the UK aviation and ports sector.
Britain has the largest aviation network in Europe and the third largest in the world; it creates a million jobs, brings in tax revenues and is vital in both importing and exporting trade. The UK port industry is the second largest in Europe, handling almost 500 million tonnes of freight each year, as well as over 60 million international and domestic passenger journeys and employs around 101,000 people directly, and many more thousands in the supply chain.
Through our membership of the EU we are members of the European single aviation market which allows airlines based in Britain to operate throughout Europe. There is no World Trade Organisation fall-back for the aviation sector, which means that unless the government negotiates a deal there will be no legal right to operate flights to Europe. This means that as a no-deal becomes more likely, so does the risk of planes not being able to fly from the UK to Europe.
It is not just flights connected to Europe that will be affected. Through the EU we have secured access to other markets such as the US and Canada. If we do not secure a deal that will retain the current status quo we may have flights severely restricted until we negotiate individual deals with each one.
The entire aviation sector in the UK has developed through EU law; it has led to cheaper fares and greater choice for consumers. Our current deal has given us greater consumer rights. Passengers can claim compensation for delayed and cancelled flights. We are members of the European Aviation Safety Agency which deals with the safe operation of aviation. All this will be at risk by leaving without a deal.
Both Airbus and easyJet are already talking about operations out of the UK in the event of no-deal. The government’s shambolic handling of the Brexit negotiations will lead to thousands of skilled job losses in the aviation sector unless they change tack before it is too late.
The potential negative impacts of Brexit on ports can no longer be dismissed as scare stories. It would present a serious challenge and lead to significant disruption at the border. Unfortunately, it is becoming a real possibility.
Difficulties could emerge at certain ports, such as Dover, due to new customs requirements and the sheer volume of freight lorries passing through. Government ministers have even acknowledged themselves that a no-deal Brexit “could turn the M20 into a lorry park”. The port of Dover is of huge economic importance to the UK and is responsible for over 80% of road freight leaving and entering the UK. More than 10,000 freight vehicles pass through Dover on peak days. Any delays will have a significant impact on trade and on the road network in the south-east of England.
The government must ensure that any post-Brexit customs arrangement with the EU must not see a passenger penalty at major UK ports in the form of increased waiting times, including for hauliers.
The government needs to prioritise the aviation and port sectors and get the best deal to allow these vital sectors to continue to grow. A no-deal will lead to planes being grounded, job losses and gridlock at our ports. If the government cannot secure a deal, it should call a general election and let the people elect a government that can.
Karl Turner is Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East and shadow minister for shipping, aviation and road safety
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