SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, has written to the UK Tory Government’s Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, urging him to share the UK Government’s analytical work on the projected impacts of Brexit.
The UK Government has undertaken research across 58 industrial sectors. It also appears that Scotland-specific analysis on the impact of Brexit exists, as was stated by Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, to a Commons Committee in October. Mundell has since back-tracked on this claim, however, leaving it unclear whether such analysis exists or not.
Writing to David Davis, Ruth Maguire MSP implored him to take up the offer to appear before Holyrood’s Europe Committee in order to clarify this matter. Ruth also urged him to make available the sector-specific analytical work on Brexit, particularly that on pharmaceuticals and renewables, so that local businesses in Cunninghame South can make preparations accordingly.
The Cunninghame South MSP also extended an invite to David Davis to meet with her and local businesses to discuss concerns around Brexit.
Commenting, Ruth said:
“15 months have now passed since the EU referendum and the lack of clarity or information about what Brexit will mean for my constituents and local businesses is utterly unacceptable.
The UK Government should immediately share the analytical work they have carried out so that people and businesses can begin to act and make plans accordingly.
It must also make clear whether Scotland-specific analysis has been undertaken or not. If it has, then this should be immediately shared with the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland.
Scotland did not vote for an economically damaging and politically isolating Brexit in the first place – and the very least the UK Government could do is help the Scottish Government and businesses and communities in Scotland to prepare for the impact.
I look forward to hearing back from Mr Davis with a constructive response.”
The letter sent to Mr Davis on 6th November 2017
Rt Hon David Davis MP
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union
Correspondence Team
9 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AG
Dear David,
You may be aware of published analysis into the local effects of Brexit which has attracted media attention in recent days. In the North Ayrshire council area covered by my Cunninghame South constituency, it is predicted there will be a 3% loss in the value of goods and services in the event of a soft Brexit and an eyewatering 5% loss under a hard Brexit scenario.
Understandably, this is a cause of significant concern for people and businesses in my constituency.
15 months have now passed since the EU referendum. I am sure you would agree that my constituents deserve as much certainty as possible over how your government’s plans to leave the EU will impact their lives and their livelihoods.
I note that the UK government has undertaken analytical work on Brexit across 58 industrial sectors. Of particular interest to my constituents will be the work carried out in the renewable energy and pharmaceuticals sectors. I would be grateful if this analysis could be shared with the business community and published as appropriate in order that my constituents and local businesses can make preparations accordingly, or make their views clear in respect of its findings.
Your colleague, the Secretary of State for Scotland, appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee this week. Despite previously confirming to a Commons committee on 24th October that Scotland-specific analysis on the impact of Brexit does exist, Mr Mundell appeared to cast some doubt on that previous claim on 2nd November.
I understand that you are yet to take up the offer to appear before the Europe Committee at Holyrood, but would strongly encourage you to do so in order to clarify this matter. Furthermore, can you give an indication on whether any Scotland-specific analysis on the impact of Brexit will be published by the UK government?
Finally, given the range of questions my constituents in Cunninghame South still have given continuing uncertainty around Brexit, perhaps you would be minded to take up the offer to meet with myself and local businesses in Cunninghame South to discuss these important concerns.
Kind regards,
Ruth Maguire
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Cunninghame South (SNP)
Ruth Maguire MSP 