Jacob Rees-Mogg told to prove benefits of Brexit

Jacob Rees-Mogg told to prove benefits of Brexit

Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has previously said it would take half a century to feel the full benefit of Brexit, has been delegated by Boris Johnson to prove some advantages now, as part of a mini-reshuffle of his government.

Rees-Mogg, the new “Brexit opportunities minister”, was told by the prime minister to draw up an action plan with “1,000 regulations we want to get rid of”, according to government officials.

The leading Brexiter was asked to demonstrate the claim that he and Johnson made during the 2016 referendum that leaving the EU would improve daily life and help business.

Johnson’s allies said deregulation was “at the heart of a new mission of delivery for this government”, but many business leaders are nervous that EU markets could close to them if Britain deviates too far from existing rules.

Chris Southworth, UK head of the International Chamber of Commerce, said: “We don’t want a wild bonfire of regulations — that would set the country back. Consumers, businesses and civil society all want high standards and that means smart regulation.”

Johnson has admitted that deregulation has been too slow; previous Brexit-related “red tape blitzes” have been criticised for coming up with symbolic changes, such as restoring the crown symbol on pint glasses.

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