Commenting on the government’s launch of the UK Internal Market White Paper and associated consultation, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“Businesses in all four nations of the UK will want to examine the detail of these proposals.

“No business should have to face additional costs when trading between the four nations of the UK, now or into the future. The UK government and the devolved administrations must work together to create a clear framework that gives businesses in every nation of the UK the same opportunities to trade and compete following the end of the transition period.

“A fragmented system would create additional costs, bureaucracy and supply chain challenges that could disrupt operations for firms across the UK.

“As these proposals progress, business communities will want practical considerations - not politics - at the heart of the debate.”