Ashfield councillors call for new policy to support buying British goods in wake of Brexit

Ashfield District Council wants to buy British wherever possible to set an example to residents, other local authorities and nationally.

But leader of Ashfield District Council, councillor Jason Zadrozny, has argued that ‘Brexit isn’t done’ as it is impossible for councils to implement a ‘buy British’ policy.

He said: “The pandemic has highlighted just how dependent the United Kingdom is on other countries, for example the reliance on Personal Protective Equipment from abroad.

"But local authorities are hindered from implementing a ‘buy British’ policy as the Government has retained EU laws unchanged, making it impossible to set a policy locally that goes against national law.

“It is therefore apparent that Brexit isn’t done, and that this council along with every other authority and Government department in the UK, is still embroiled in EU law.”

The councillor believes that if British businesses are to compete on a worldwide stage, it is crucial to have support at home.

Councillor Zadrozny added: “With UK residents and organisations buying goods from our own country, jobs and more investment will follow.

"The history and capabilities of Great Britain prove that we can succeed globally.”

Councillor David Martin, portfolio holder for streets, parks and town centres, has echoed the council leader’s sentiments.

He said: “Britain is a country of shopkeepers.

“We have always been a great trading nation.

"We need to recognise and celebrate our history of world-beating commercial success by supporting UK businesses wherever we can.”

Ashfield District Council supports the leader of the council in lobbying the Members of Parliament for the district.

Councillor Martin added: “We call on them to take forward these concerns and by so doing save jobs, and encourage new and old UK based businesses to invest in this country.”