Public ‘in the dark’ over UK Brexit trade deals, according to survey – Border Counties Advertizer

More than two-thirds of the UK public feel left in the dark about the impact that post-Brexit trade deals struck by the Government will have.

The International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, has been tasked with establishing bespoke deals.

But while a host of rollover deals with countries have been secured, mirroring the terms that had initially been in place when a member of the European bloc, and fresh agreements with Japan and Australia have been signed, a survey has found that Britons feel the Government has not been open about what the bilateral treaties entail.

A survey of more than 3,000 UK adults found that 67 per cent felt the public receives too little information from ministers about trade deals, with only seven per cent recording they knew that the UK had a deal with Japan.

A quarter of consumers who took part in the poll conducted on behalf of consumer choice group Which? said they felt the Government was not at all open about the impact new trade deals will have.

Critics have voiced concern that the free trade deal agreed with Australia in June will see British farmers undercut by food coming from Australia that does not meet the same high standards in the UK.

Out of those surveyed, almost nine in 10 felt all food imported should align with current UK domestic food standards.

Sue Davies, head of consumer rights and food policy at Which?, said: The Government must take this opportunity to communicate transparently and openly with the public about trade negotiations and push for a consumer chapter to be included in future deals.

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Public 'in the dark' over UK Brexit trade deals, according to survey - Border Counties Advertizer