Campaigners have spoken out about their dismay over the triggering of article 50 that will lead to the UK leaving the EU
Withdrawal from the EU will have a punitive effect on Scottish children and families living in poverty, campaigners said after the UK government triggered Article 50.
In the hours after Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to the European Council officially informing them of the UK’s intention to leave the union, charity campaigners spoke of their fears for the future of the country’s most vulnerable people.
There is compelling evidence that withdrawal from the EU could have a punitive effect on children
In an angry blog that was highly critical of the current Brexit rhetoric, Children in Scotland’s chief executive Jackie Brock said the UK’s 16 to 18 year old citizens should have been given a vote in the decision to leave the EU.
“Mrs May spoke about leaving the EU representing ‘this generation’s chance to shape a brighter future’,” said Brock.
“In this context it is important to ask which generation she refers to, given that 71% of 18-24 year-olds in the UK voted to Remain in last year’s referendum and it is young people who will be most exposed to Brexit’s impact.
“We know that the result of the referendum would likely have been different if 16 and 17 year olds across the UK had been allowed to vote.”
She highlighted that EU funding has brought tangible benefits to children and young people living in Scotland, and more widely across the UK, and said: “There is compelling evidence that withdrawal from the EU could have a punitive effect on children.”
Brock’s fears for the future where echoed by anti-poverty campaigners, who raised concerns about workers rights and what will happen to EU migrants living in the UK.
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said it would continue to work with organisations across Europe to fight for solidarity for workers.
He said: “We believe that there is real risk that in turning our back on Europe we are turning our backs on a progressive alliance and the potential to lose shared practice.
“Our members have raised concerns about the rolling back of employment rights, the impact on the NHS, and the future for EU migrants living in the UK.
“To date, people have not been at the heart of discussions about Brexit with focus being on the impact on financial services, trade etc.”
Read Jackie Brock’s blog in full.
