The Brexit vote, 5 years on - what do we know so far?

Introduction

This week five years ago people in Scotland would have been digesting the news that they were to be removed from the European Union. It is not yet possible to describe the full impact that decision will have on the people of Scotland. Some consequences, such as parts of the new rules on trade into the UK, are not yet fully in force. For those that are, assessing the real impact will take many years. Nevertheless, it is clear that many of the negative impacts which were envisaged are now starting to crystallise.

This paper does not seek to provide an inventory of the full impact that Brexit will have. Instead it provides a summary of impacts and likely consequences in different areas of the economy and society, raising awareness of the likely consequences in broad terms. It is important that people are aware of these consequences, not least so they can consider the full range of possible remedies.

This paper details a range of impacts which are each already being felt in the real world and are, importantly, illustrative of the very many other impacts likely to be felt in every part of our daily lives.