North East councils NOT carrying out any Brexit impact studies; Freedom of Information requests have revealed local authorities aren't carrying out detailed assessments about the impact of Brexit.
Byline: Sean Seddon
Brexit is just eight months away but North East councils aren't doing any studies about how it might impact the region.
Earlier this week, Sky News reported some councils have carried out detailed assessments of how they could be affected by the UK's departure from the European Union.
But Freedom of Information requests have revealed no such studies are being carried out in the North East.
Newcastle City Council'sdeputy leader Joyce McCarty and MEP Jude Kirton-Darling have claimed a lack of clarity from central Government has made it impossible for local authorities to plan.
While North East councils have contributed to a report by the North East Local Economic Enterprise looking at the relationship between the EU and the region, the FOI responses show no further detailed assessments are planned.
The only substantial piece of research currently being compiled is a study into how the rural economy might be affected which has been commissioned byNorthumberland County Council.
Explaining why no assessments are being carried out, Newcastle's deputy leader Joyce McCarty said: " Right now many councils are unable to plan for the future as a result of the Government's Brexit chaos.
"While some councils obviously have Brexit-specific issues in their area, no one really knows what exit deal the Government will finally manage, and what the impact of this will be.
"To make matters worse, the Government is spending in the region of [pounds sterling]2bn to make Whitehall ready for Brexit but none of that money has gone to help local authorities prepare for Brexit.
"Cities such as Newcastle face an uncertain future as Brexit approaches as a direct result of the Government's failure to set out a clear path.
"Clearly when Brexit does arrive we will have to be ready for the new era.
"A key feature of the new political landscape will be in ensuring the millions of pounds in EU funding which previously supported regions such as our is replaced and devolved out of Whitehall."
Andrea Leadsom: 'Brexit will be a success - and North East could vote Tory'
Sunderland City Council, whose dependence on Nissan for jobs makes them more exposed...
To continue reading
Request your trial