For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agri-food sector, Brexit has ushered in a new era of challenges. Previously accustomed to the frictionless trade afforded by EU membership, these businesses now face significant trade barriers, including stricter checks and complicated documentation requirements. SMEs are particularly affected, as they often lack the resources to navigate… Read more
UK exports suffered £12.4bn decline in 2021, largely attributed to non-tariff measures – new research Professor Jun Du and Dr Oleksandr Shepotylo from Aston University analysed the effects of the end of the Brexit transition period on UK exports This equals to a nearly 16% of UK total exports in the first half of 2019… Read more
2020 was a terrible year for UK trade. Overall, UK exports in goods contracted by almost 15%, down by £54.5 bln[i] in the twelve-month period, this is even worse than the contraction seen in the UK economy as a whole, which was just under 10% in GDP terms. [ii] Furthermore, the early 2021 bilateral trade… Read more
UK productivity to be boosted by increasing exporting and innovation among small and medium-sized firms. Britain’s productivity is falling behind other economies because it is slower to turn ambitious smaller firms into exporters of innovative new products and services, according to a new report. With more support, it is estimated that up to 110,000 small… Read more