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On the second anniversary of Brexit, a member of the Scottish regional government has criticized Britain’s departure from the EU. “The damage from Brexit continues to increase,” said Angus Robertson, who is responsible for foreign affairs in the cabinet, among other things. “In the two years since the end of the transition period, we have seen no benefit in leaving the European Union.” On the contrary, the UK economy is “fundamentally on the wrong track” and there is “no real alternative”.

Britain had already left the EU at the end of January 2020. However, there was still a transitional phase until the end of the year and since 2021, Great Britain is no longer a member of the EU customs union and the internal market.

Like Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Robertson is a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which seeks independence from Britain and a return to the EU. He announced that the regional government is still seeking a new independence referendum. The High Court in London ruled a few weeks ago that the approval of the British government, which clearly rejects a referendum, is required.

“The Scottish Government is determined to give the people of Scotland a choice about the future they want – a greener, more prosperous and fairer economy within the European Union, or a sluggish, stagnant economy outside the European Union,” said Robertson. Companies would suffer from lower exports to the EU, skills shortages and difficulties in hiring.

Robertson referred to a study by the London School of Economics. According to this, British households will have to pay £210 (almost €240) more per year on food bills due to post-Brexit customs hurdles. According to calculations by the British regulator OBR, productivity will fall by 4 percent in the long term.

British government circles, on the other hand, said the EU is still an important trading partner. The Scottish government should focus on helping businesses in the country take advantage of the “opportunities” created by Brexit, “rather than stir up fear”. (sda/dpa)