Post-Brexit: M&S chairman sounds alarm on higher prices in Northern Ireland
The chairman of Marks & Spencer has warned that consumers in Northern Ireland will have to contend with higher prices and fewer products if current post-Brexit customs rules come into force this year.
Greater bureaucracy involved in goods entering Northern and the Republic of Ireland is “threatening” Marks & Spencer, Archie Norman said in a letter sent to Brexit minister Lord Frost.
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Products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain are subject to light-touch checks under a grace period. This is set to end in September.
Norman said the current checks were “pointless”, warning that EU customs arrangement are “unsuited and never designed for a modern fresh food supply.”
Higher costs involved in trading between Britain and the island of Ireland is likely to result in “higher prices, given the inflationary pressure being put on to retailers by the regulatory regime,” norman said.
M&S is a major employer in Northern Ireland, employing around 4,000 people.
Norman called for urgent changes to the trading relationship between London and Brussels to ease the burden on businesses.
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