'No deal' Brexit to cost the North East economy £7bn a year by 2034

The potentially devastating long-term economic impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on the North East has been laid bare in fresh analysis of government figures by the Confederation of Business Industry.

The study reveals how the North East could be among the regions most exposed to the economic fallout from leaving the EU without a deal with an estimated annual loss of output worth £7 billion1 by 2034.

Such a significant shortfall would hit people’s jobs, livelihoods and living standards. This figure is equivalent to twice the annual public spending on schools and education in the North East.

Manufacturing activity is particularly important to the North East, and the automotive sector, which employs tens of thousands, is likely to be severely impacted as it is particularly exposed to the risk of higher tariffs and trade costs.

With 59% of the North East’s goods exports going to the EU, any increased trade friction, added costs or delays would hit the region particularly hard.

Mike Norris, Managing Director of North East employer Draeger UK, said:

Sarah Glendinning, Regional Director for CBI North East, said: