The impacts of a No Deal Brexit are known to be harmful and would include the following:
- Undermining the rights and safeguards in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
- A hardening of the border with the subsequent devastating impact on the economy of the island or Ireland and the economic, educational and social lives of people living and working in border areas.
- Increased bureaucracy and costs for businesses, strict controls on the movement of animals and food products across all border of the UK with disastrous consequences for the agri-food sector, animal welfare and standards of food.
- Major uncertainty regarding the future supply of medicines, radioactive materials and blood products that are regulated by the EU and imported from EU member states.
- The immediate end of the right to freedom of movement, causing major uncertainty and the potential for discrimination against EU/EEA migrants with no regard being shown to the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.
- The potential end of the single energy market with unknown consequences for future energy costs and supply but likely to increase in the cost of living.
- The removal of many key environmental safeguards and oversight mechanisms.
- The potential erosion of workers’ rights.
Further reading
- No Deal: The WTO Option, Fact sheet by UK in a Changing Europe
- No to no deal Brexit Campaign (impact in Northern Ireland) No to no deal is a campaign dedicated to the impact on Northern Ireland
- Travelling with pets and animals after Brexit Information supplied by Animal Couriers
- The music sector will not survive COVID-19 and Brexit without an extension to the transition period by the Incorporated Society of Musicians
- Jobs and rights at risk article by Philip Cole, former European Council civil servant
- Employment rights after Brexit ACAS links to latest official position