Robin Swann, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (Image: GETTY)
Shane Brennan, the lobby group’s chief executive, said UK exporters “continue to face a hard border with all its costs and uncertainties and see their equivalents continuing to benefit from de-facto unfettered access to their domestic market.”
Speaking of the decision to extend the grace period, he added: “It’s not clear how this action will give the EU an incentive to be more willing to discuss ways to reduce the burdens on UK exporters.”
In a statement issued earlier this week, Lord David Frost, the UK’s Brexit negotiator and now a member of the Cabinet, said: “As a sovereign trading nation outside the EU, we have freedom to take decisions in our national interest – and in the interest of our businesses.
Work begins on Durham City business park that could create 4,000 jobs
The Aykley Heads business park aims to bring thousands of jobs to the area and boost the economy by £400 million
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Live Budget updates as Rishi Sunak confirms huge Treasury and Freeport news for region
The 2021 Spring Budget has been widely described as one of the most highly-anticipated Budget speeches in years
Alistair Houghton
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak is making make one of the most highly anticipated Budget speeches in years. Richmond MP Mr Sunak took to the despatch box after Prime Minister s Questions at lunchtime in the House of Commons for the second Budget of his tenure.
He s expected to announce a flurry of new measures - with spending policies anticipated to range from funds for museums, theatres and galleries to an extension to reopening grants for hospitality businesses.
Nissan and Britishvolt back 60,000-job North East freeport bid
More than 40 companies and business groups have signed a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak backing the bid for a freeport across a range of sites in the region
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More than 40 businesses and organisations – including Nissan and the company that hopes to be the region’s next major employer – have urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to approve a freeport in the North East.