Businesses have predicted price rises after the UK chancellor, Sajid Javid, said there would be no alignment with EU regulations once Britain’s exit from the European Union was made official. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on Saturday said alignment supported jobs and competitiveness for many firms. Last week the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, warned that the price of non-alignment would be friction in trade. But the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said that no regulatory alignment with the EU after Brexit could lead to price rises. Negotiations on the future relationship are expected to begin formally after 25 February when the EU has formally agreed its negotiating goals.

Source: The Guardian January 18, 2020 07:31 UTC