- Why does the UK government want more freeports across the country?
- What are some of the pros and cons of post-Brexit freeports in Britain?
- Does the Conservative Party’s Brexit bring disorder to the UK?
Economic experts and EU officials do not welcome the UK PM’s theory of post-Brexit freeports in Britain. The UK will face more corruption, drugs, and weapons smuggling at freeports. Such tariff-free, custom-free areas increase the possibility of more organized crimes in Britain.
Post-Brexit Freeports Are Trade Attractions
The UK has set up several freeports to create economic activity across the country. Goods imported via the freeports are tariff-free and exempt from taxes. Companies inside the free sites can claim lower property taxes, and firms benefit from lower national insurance rates. Freeport ideas, both shipping ports and airports, are familiar. Now, the UK government believes that post-Brexit freeports will attract investors.
Organized Crimes in Britain Are on Rise
Many freights will move towards the new post-Brexit ports, but there are concerns about organized crimes in Britain. Experts have warned that gangsters would plot how to bring drugs and guns into the country. The UK government says the post-Brexit freeports are hopeful for economic growth and will increase the number of jobs. But experts have said they could be attractive for organized crimes in Britain.
Drug and Weapon Smuggling Are Easy at Freeports
Money laundering and illicit trades are the main reasons for criminal exploitations at the sites. The post-Brexit freeports are vulnerable sites where smugglers could smuggle illegal goods, resulting in organized crimes in Britain. The post-Brexit freeports would also help with weapon smuggling and organized crimes in Britain. More weapons and drug trafficking will bring more violence. The UK government must protect freeports from being sites of organized crimes in Britain.
Freeports Won’t Benefit the UK Economy
The Office for Budget Responsibility had already reported that freeports would positively impact the economy. The new ports only relocate the trade hubs rather than changing the size of the economy. While the UK public workers have been holding strikes demanding more wages, the government is creating more free-tax sites. The UK government needs more revenues to increase the public services budget.
Economic Benefits of Freeports Are None
Economists do not see any significant positive impact of the freeports policy. The freeports would become zones where dirty money laundering is done. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has always backed the idea of freeports. As a chancellor, he had defended these tariff-free trade zones. But experts believe that the trade benefit of freeports is almost nothing. The main advantage could be alleviating the post-Brexit paper works on the borders.
Brussels Fear Brexit Deal Exploited
The UK freeports program has frightened the EU of luring investments away and of organized crimes in Britain. Businesses could enjoy tax breaks and tariff-free trade with the UK at the freeports. The EU officials feared the freeports policies would break the trade deal after Britain left the bloc. Moreover, the EU had previously warned of the probability of money laundering and financing of terrorism.
Free Economic Ports Are Dangerous Zones
The post-Brexit freeports could open the doors to corruption. The UK businesses can land and store goods and then manufacture and export them with no goods customs duty levied. The UK is no longer a part of the EU Customs Union, so its freeports could be hubs for storing precious merchandise. Such places could open the door to organized crimes in Britain.
Freeports Are Vulnerable
Money laundering and illicit trades are the main reasons for criminal exploitations at the sites. The post-Brexit freeports are vulnerable sites where smugglers could smuggle illegal goods, resulting in organized crimes in Britain. The post-Brexit freeports would also help with weapon smuggling and organized crimes in Britain. More weapons and drug trafficking will bring more violence. The UK government must protect freeports from being sites of organized crimes in Britain.
Brexit Caused Economic Declines in Britain
Brexit has been a bitter deal for Britain, which hit the country hard. Six years since the Brexit referendum, the UK pound dropped by 10% against the US dollar. Investors have lost faith in the UK Market because Brexit created obstacles to imports and exports. Also, the Brexit shambles decreased the UK’s imports and exports. Because the country is less open to trade and Brexit has damaged its competitiveness.
Brexit Brings Devastated Economy
The post-Brexit trade arrangements came into force in January 2022, leading to fewer exports and lower import competition in Britain. The Brexit deal also caused slower wage increases and less productivity growth. It hurts the lower-paid Britons and small businesses more. However, the government’s strategy of building new freeports is risky. Because not only does it not bring an economic boost, it may bring organized crimes to Britain.
Freeports Are Political Projects
Brexit has permanently damaged the UK economy, and the Brexit financial pressure is exhausting and discouraging people. Exiting the EU has permanently damaged foreign trade and reduced financial investments in Britain. Rishi Sunak’s “special economic zones” have simple rules for doing more accessible business. Freeports were Rishi Sunak’s political projects that the Conservative Party promised in the 2019 manifesto.
Westminster Hopes for Thousands More Jobs
The UK MPs have tried to create freeports in their constituencies. The UK government has promised 86 thousand jobs in the most deprived communities. They can host thousands of companies and employ hundreds of thousands of employees. The UK seeks to compete in the global trading system after Brexit. However, with the post-Brexit freeports, it may risk more organized crimes in Britain.
Freeports’ Advantages Are Little
The UK government will create new ports where the regular rules do not apply to trade. Such economic zones work just like being outside the UK’s borders while they are outside the EU, as well. Businesses working at the post-Brexit freeports would benefit from the customs privileges and tax cuts. Nevertheless, the British public would not benefit from the hubs where more organized crimes are possible.
