George Osborne calls for UK to rejoin EU customs union and boost trade
Guardian AU Business
β’Sun, 13 Sep 2026 10:48:04 GMT
π° What Happened
Former UK chancellor George Osborne said Britain's economy has fallen off a cliff since Brexit, and that rejoining the EU customs union would be the fastest way to recover. He told the Independent that Brexit has been a mess and has had a huge impact on the British economy. He said it is clearly poorer than it would otherwise be.
π The Backstory
Osborne was chancellor under David Cameron at the time of the 2016 referendum and was later sacked by Theresa May. He said no one realised leaving the customs union was part of Brexit, and that it has badly hurt trade. He argued rejoining the customs union would not mean accepting free movement of people, unlike the single market. He said promised US trade deals now look fanciful.
π― Why It Matters
Brexit still shapes what UK shoppers pay for food and goods. If Britain moves closer to the EU again, prices and paperwork for businesses could change.
Former UK chancellor George Osborne said Britain's economy has fallen off a cliff since Brexit, and that rejoining the EU customs union would be the fastest way to recover. He told the Independent that Brexit has been a mess and has had a huge impact on the British economy. He said it is clearly poorer than it would otherwise be.
Osborne was chancellor under David Cameron at the time of the 2016 referendum and was later sacked by Theresa May. He said no one realised leaving the customs union was part of Brexit, and that it has badly hurt trade. He argued rejoining the customs union would not mean accepting free movement of people, unlike the single market. He said promised US trade deals now look fanciful.
Brexit still shapes what UK shoppers pay for food and goods. If Britain moves closer to the EU again, prices and paperwork for businesses could change.