Single market membership mooted


The TUC is calling on the government to seek membership of the EU's single market to protect jobs and rights at work. 


In a report published last month, it says ministers should stop being secretive about their Brexit negotiating aims and that working people need to know what the government’s guiding principles will be for the negotiations.


Brexit: a new deal for working people sets out the objectives unions want the government to pursue to win the best Brexit deal for workers. This includes the promotion of good jobs by making sure the EU stays Britain’s largest trading partner, avoiding tariffs and “rule of origin” bureaucracy, and allowing British businesses unhampered trade in services. 


The report also sets out the importance of protecting workers’ rights by enforcing the highest standards in Europe for employment, consumer and environmental protections and better management of migration.


The TUC concludes that the best way to meet these objectives is for the UK to seek continued membership of the single market, at least as a transitional deal until a longer-term trade agreement is in place.


TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said such a deal "will save us from rushing negotiations and making bad decisions".

https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/BrexitNewDealforWorkingPeople.pdf