A letter from 85 organisations from across the UK to Boris Johnson says civil society is not prepared for leaving the European Union without a deal
Organisations from across civil society have expressed their grave concerns about no-deal Brexit.
A total of 85 organisations have penned a joint letter to Boris Johnson about the impacts of leaving the European Union without a deal.
Organisations that have backed the letter include the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, Children in Scotland, the Alliance, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
The letter states that a no-deal Brexit presents a profound risk to the values of the voluntary sector.
It states: “A growing body of evidence shows that a no-deal Brexit would be detrimental to civil society and the communities that we work with. The uncertainty, the predicted economic shock, the prospect of legal uncertainty as well as the regression in rights and standards present a profound risk to the values civil society stands for.”
The letter highlights concerns about the return of a “hard border” in Ireland, and says that many organisations do not feel prepared for no-deal.
“Business, civil society and communities across the UK are not ready for a no-deal exit,” the letter continues.
“There is not enough time to replace EU agencies that monitor and ensure compliance with the law, potentially resulting in food standards, environmental and animal welfare regulations not being sufficiently enforced.
“Legislation to accommodate a no-deal scenario will be rushed through parliament with little to no scrutiny from MPs and civil society. Neither is there enough time to put in place the necessary common frameworks to guarantee that devolution is respected.
“Civil society faces the same Brexit related impacts and uncertainties as business, and yet we have not had adequate support, resources and engagement from the government. We urge you to better engage with civil society, including across the devolved nations, throughout the next stages of the Brexit process.”
