IoD Policy Report February 2017 Navigating Brexit: Priorities for business, options for government IoD Policy Report About the author Allie’s work focuses on devising recommendations and representing the voice of members on EU policy matters to Westminster, Whitehall and European institutions. She provides the link between business and government on increasing international trade through practical and policy- focused measures, as well as running a number of trade missions for IoD members around the world every year. She routinely provides advocacy for the IoD on a range of regulatory issues in Brussels. Allie joined the IoD in April 2014. Allie Renison Prior to this, she was research director at Business for Britain, Head of Europe and the campaign focused on renegotiating the UK's relationship Trade Policy with the EU. Allie has previously advised a number of
[email protected] parliamentarians in both houses on EU legislative issues, with a focus on trade and employment policy areas. @allierenison Allie holds a master's degree in the political economy of emerging economies in the post-Soviet space. Table of Contents 3 Executive summary 6 Impact of the referendum – How are businesses coping? 10 A smooth Brexit process • Parallel negotiations 12 Transitional arrangements and the “cliff edge” • The “British option” • Business links to the EU • Priorities 18 Potential models • European Economic Area • Customs union • Comprehensive free trade/partnership agreement 30 Communication and preparation • Government • What can business and the IoD do to prepare? 2 Navigating Brexit: Priorities for business, options for government Executive summary The referendum campaign and its outcome are now over, and the substantive debate on what Brexit might mean is only really just beginning, despite the fact that it should have advanced long before 23 June.