UK unions join businesses in call for urgency in Brexit negotiations

Union and business leaders in the UK and Europe have joined together to demand “measurable progress” from Brexit negotiations this week, with Britain's economic interests, people’s jobs, rights and livelihoods to be put first.

UK and EU leaders will attend a European Council meeting on 28-29 June where there will be an update on Brexit talks.

The CBI, BusinessEurope, the TUC and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), who collectively represent 45m workers and 20m employers across the EU, said on Wednesday that both sides of negotiations should put people’s best interests first and try to clarify some of the key points that would affect the economy.

“The UK government and the EU will need to agree on all aspects of regulatory alignment, which is of the utmost importance, without jeopardising the integrity of the single market. This must involve preserving value chains and avoiding non-tariff barriers to trade; finding a solution for intra-corporate transfer (ICT) arrangements; barrier-free and frictionless trade in goods and services; and a mechanism for agreeing a mutually acceptable level playing field for workers’ rights,” said the joint statement.

They also call for progress on the Irish border issue to ensure there will not be a hard border that could endanger peace on the island.

The statement follows warnings from manufacturers including Airbus and BMW about the consequences of a no-deal divorce.

Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that she had listened to the voice of business and the input had helped shape the UK’s negotiating position.