New government reforms to the UK Internal Market Act aim to make it easier for businesses to trade across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - with less friction and more certainty.
Following feedback from businesses, the changes are designed to simplify the rules that apply when trading across the UK’s four nations, while still allowing each devolved government to reflect local priorities.
What’s changing?
Why it matters
The UK’s internal market supports over £129 billion of trade each year – a lifeline for many small and medium-sized firms, especially those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where sales to the rest of the UK often make up over half their external trade.
What business owners should consider
This could be a positive step for UK-wide trade, particularly for businesses that operate across more than one nation. If that’s you, it’s worth reviewing how these reforms could help you.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/improved-trade-rules-to-boost-business-and-growth-across-the-uk
