No Matter the Deal, Households Will Be Worse Off After Brexit, Says Report

LONDON—No matter what trade deal is struck with the European Union, UK household bills are going to rise after Brexit, according to a report published on July 4.

The worst scenario—the adoption of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules without a deal with the EU—would leave the average household nearly £1,000 ($1,320) worse off.

“No matter which trade deals are agreed, the fact that the UK is leaving the EU will create new red tape costs for imports coming into the UK from the Customs Union,” said Duncan Brewer, lead author of the report and partner at Oliver Wyman.

“Our research clearly shows that costs from this red tape are always higher than any cost reductions gained from free trade deals, leaving businesses and households worse off after Brexit.”

Their analysis produced five different scenarios based on three key factors: whether the UK is part of the EU Customs Union or has a bespoke customs deal; whether or not the UK is in the Single Market, has a bespoke single market deal, or no deal at all; and whether or not the UK has to adopt WTO tariffs in the event of no bespoke deal being struck with the EU.

The report says, “We found that if the UK reverts to WTO most-favored nation import tariffs, the price of a typical weekly grocery shop would go up by £5.50 (totaling £280 [$370] across the year), the price of a family meal for four at a high-street restaurant chain would increase by £9, and a pair of trainers would become £6.75 more expensive.”

The report warned that businesses would need “agile” supply chains to adapt to tariffs.

For example, the cost of beef imported from Ireland—used in mass catering and ready meals—will increase, while the cost of Argentinian beef would drop by 40 percent, thus making it the import of choice.

However, businesses reliant on imports of fresh produce will also be vulnerable to additional costs from border paperwork, higher waste, and shortages should there be border delays, said the report.

A weaker pound is also expected to increase costs, with household costs rising by £380 ($500) per year for every 5 percent devaluation in the pound.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is trying to finalize a detailed proposal to put to the EU in the final stages of the negotiations, but has been thwarted by a cabinet riven by different visions of what Brexit should, or can, accomplish.