Brexit – What does it mean for sport and recreation?
On Tuesday 19th March Mountain Training attended an All Party Parliamentary Mountaineering Group meeting at Portcullis House in London. Representatives from Horse Riding, Paddlesport, the Ramblers, the British Mountaineering Council and the Outdoor Industry Association were all there plus three MPs, including John Mann who chaired the group.
During the meeting the
Sport and Recreation Alliance summarised some of the potential implications for UK sport of leaving the EU with and without a deal:
Brexit with no deal
Britain would be treated as a ‘Third country’, presenting challenges for itinerant seasonal workers and uncertainty over resort working. The validity of the European Health Insurance Card would be called into question and green cards would be needed to drive in Europe. Additional checks would also be placed on passports. Furthermore, there are potential questions over qualification equivalence, the movement of sporting goods and the longevity of funding streams. UK visitor numbers however, seem less of a concern as the weak pound would attract tourists.
Brexit with a deal
The UK would still be an attractive destination. British Canoeing and Cycling have plans to host their respective world championships and a deal would help facilitate this. Leaving with a deal may open up new opportunities in the way of taxation improvements, maximising our global influence, maintaining world leading standards and minimising tax on goods.
MP John Mann also highlighted that under the withdrawal agreement, workers’ rights and with that health and safety would be a major area of debate. His view was that we should be alert to this and that ‘dynamic alignment’ was preferable to ‘harmonisation’ because the former allowed for the kind of decision that was made about Work at Height whereas the latter would not. He also believed that the sector should be ready to provide case histories that would assist politicians in bringing the issues to life.
Read what the BMC have to say about how Brexit may affect travel.Read more from the Sport & Recreation Alliance.John Cousins
Chief Executive Officer, Mountain Training UK