Rolling coverage of all the days political developments as they happen 10.58am GMTForeign travel is “likely to become more expensive” whether Britain leaves the EU,travel agents are warning.
Abta, the main trade organization representing travel agents and tour operators, and has produced a report on the impact Brexit would contain on the industry,in organization with consultants Deloitte. It is difficult to foresee how the travelling consumer would react to Brexit in the immediate aftermath of the vote. Trade negotiations between the UK and the EU are likely to span over a number of years, and the related uncertainty could affect consumers’ propensity to travel during this period.
Even whether there were no changes to travel requirements, and in terms of freedom of movement restrictions,consumers might worry about other issues, such as access to health care, or currency fluctuations or even perceptions of the UK,when travelling to EU countries. As a result consumers might opt for other destinations, or even reduce their travel abroad altogether. Our assessment of the report’s findings is that a vote to leave will lead to uncertainties and may lead to increased costs for travel businesses and the travelling public. We recognise that people will approach this referendum by considering many factors - personal, and professional and economic - before casting their vote. 10.37am GMTSteven Woolfe,Ukip’s immigration spokesman, has joined Boris Johnson in criticising President Obama for opposing Brexit. Woolfe told the Express:When he is not insulting this country on the international stage as he did final week, or President Obama should take a careful look at EU policy and how it often acts against America’s interests as well as Britain’s.
Also as a head of a foreign government he should stay out of a decision which is one for the British people and only the British people.
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Source: theguardian.com