THE UK Government has had to intensify a campaign to help Scottish firms export their products following the problems caused by Brexit – with one campaign group describing it as adding “insult to injury”.
Several Scottish businesses are featured in the Made in the UK, Sold to the World campaign which is running on radio, newspapers and billboards across the country.
Launched by the Department for International Trade, it will run until the end of November with businesses directed to a UK Government website for tips on how to sell abroad.
The department claims that the first phase of the campaign, which was launched in 2021, delivered £4 of export win-related revenue for every £1 spent across the UK.
However, figures from the Centre of European Reform show that leaving the single market and customs union has reduced UK goods trade by around 15% so far.
This August alone exports to the EU countries decreased by £0.3 billion (1.5%), according to the Office for National Statistics.
Separate figures from the Scottish Government show a third of all manufacturing businesses in Scotland have faced increased costs due to red tape, and nearly half have faced increased transportation costs. Severe and visible impacts are disproportionately concentrated on the food and drink sector, particularly seafood, meat and dairy, as well as beverages and textiles.
Overall UK trade levels have fallen considerably since Brexit, according to the Scottish Government analysis, and decreases in trade with the EU are larger than the declines seen in non-EU trade.
“It’s increasingly apparent the trade deals being struck by the UK Government are simply not compensating for the loss of EU markets for Scottish businesses,” External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said.
Campaign group Europe for Scotland accused the UK Government of adding “insult to injury”.
A spokesperson said: “Citizens throughout Europe are looking at the economic turmoil in the UK in utter disbelief.
“Unlike many UK media outlets, European media covers the link between the dire economic situation and the hard Brexit chosen by consecutive Conservative governments.
“As if the economic vandalism of Brexit imposed on Scotland was not enough, the UK Government now appears intent on adding insult to injury by offering to advise firms on how to overcome the export barriers they have themselves erected.
“Scotland deserves better and all Scots should know that they will have many friends in Europe when they’ll choose to abandon the sinking ship.”
However, UK Minister for Trade, Scott Mann, pictured right, said people around the world were “lining up” to buy British food and the UK Government was “making sure” they can get it.
“From our fantastic seafood and meat to our world-class produce, British food and drink is renowned for its high-quality and exceptional standards,” he said. “This campaign ensures that all businesses making wonderful products have the tools they need to sell them around the world, bringing even more jobs and growth to a flourishing sector of our economy.”
Some Scottish businesses, such as Emergency One and AAC Clyde Space, which have managed to surmount the exporting difficulties, are featured in the new campaign.
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said: “From fintech to fire engines to our world-famous food and drink sector, Scotland’s businesses have huge exporting potential.
“This campaign will highlight some fantastic Scottish companies that are already benefitting from selling their products around the globe. I hope it will inspire more businesses to follow suit, boosting the economy in Scotland and across the UK and supporting jobs.”
Emergency One is the UK’s largest provider of specialist Fire and Rescue service vehicles in the UK, and the manufacturer of the world’s first 100% electric fire engine. Their exports have increased steadily year on year and they are now selling fire engines and electric vehicle technology to markets in the US, France and more recently in New Zealand.
AAC Clyde Space specialise in small satellite technologies and services that enable a growing number of commercial, government and educational organisations to access high-quality, timely data from space. The company has exported since its inception in 2005, growing its business in Japan, the US, and South Africa.Since then, they have added various sites and partners to access new markets.
UK Minister for Exports Marcus Fysh said: “Exporters create jobs, pay higher wages and help grow our economy, which is why we want the UK to be an export-led economy and reach a trillion pounds of exports a year by 2030.
“This campaign highlights some fantastic businesses punching above their weight, selling their brilliant products and services made here in the UK to the world. I hope they serve as inspiration to others looking to get onto the exporting ladder. As the campaign says: if you make it in the UK, why not sell it to the world?”
