Can we really know the full impact of Brexit on the UK’s economy during a pandemic? Economists are divided, and the statistics differ drastically
on.ft.com/3hoMdAR
on.ft.com/3hoMdAR
Pro and anti-EU economists have attempted to assess the effects of the first six months of the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement. But the big picture on trade and employment has been swamped by the economic impact of Covid-19 ft.com/content/fbb707… 
Trade has undeniably been hit by Brexit — but the extent depends on which statistics are used. UK to EU exports were 5% lower in April compared with last December, according to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, and 24% down, according to Eurostat ft.com/content/fbb707…
New restrictions limiting the rights of EU citizens to work in the UK raised concerns about labour shortages. But similar trends in other countries suggested it was not solely a Brexit effect and shortages resulted from ‘a mix of Covid and Brexit’ ft.com/content/fbb707…
The benefits of splitting from the bloc remain more elusive than the disadvantages. Economists are doubtful about whether the UK's rapid trade agreements with countries that already had deals with the EU will deliver a significant boost to the UK economy ft.com/content/fbb707…
Questions for the years ahead remain. Will supply chains crossing the English Channel continue to rupture? By how much? And will the UK become a less attractive place to invest in? Find out more here: ft.com/content/fbb707…
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