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UK accountancy & law firms want Brexit deal on services

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and UK Finance Minister Philip Hammond
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and UK Finance Minister Philip Hammond

UK politicians have asked Finance Minister Philip Hammond and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to produce and publish analyses on the impact of Brexit ahead of a vote on the final divorce deal with the European Union. 

The findings will fuel a battle between those who favour Britain staying close to the EU - seen as Hammond's preferred option - and Brexiteers who want a clean break with Brussels. 

Parliament's Treasury Select Committee has written to Hammond, Carney, and Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, in letters released to the media today. 

The committee wants the finance ministry to assess the long-term economic and fiscal impact of implementing the final divorce settlement once it has been negotiated.

It also wants to see the impact of a no-deal Brexit whereby Britain crashes out of the bloc next March. 

"Any estimates of potential future costs and benefits of aligning with the EU acquis (laws) as it changes should be assessed separately, and the assumptions about the future changes clearly described," the committee's chair, Nicky Morgan told Philip  Hammond. 

"An assessment of winners and losers from the proposed changes, and the likely countervailing impact on access to EU markets, should also be produced," he added. 

There should also be a short-term economic analysis covering the five years from March next year.

Senior government ministers meet on Friday in an attempt to agree Britain's position in negotiations with Brussels on the future shape of UK-EU trade relations. 

A vote in parliament is expected in the autumn on the final deal Prime Minister Theresa May brings back from negotiations with Brussels. 

The committee is asking the Bank of England to assess the impact of the divorce settlement and future relations on the central bank's ability to meet its objectives of monetary and financial stability. 

Morgan told Governor Carney that parliament's vote would raise many questions, including whether it is desirable for Britain to adhere to EU rules to secure financial services market access. 

Morgan, who campaigned to stay in the EU in the 2016 referendum, is asking Bailey to assess the impact of the final EU divorce settlement and future trading framework on the FCA's ability to meet its objectives, such as protecting consumers.

Meanwhile, a group of leading UK accountancy and law firms have called on British Prime Minister Theresa May to strike a Brexit deal on services that gives mutual recognition of regulations and qualifications to prevent damage to the $250 billion sector. 

The Professional and Business Services Council includes Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, KPMG, EY and Deloitte.

They said they would need mutual recognition of professional qualifications, products and regulations.

"Failing to negotiate these elements would impair our ability to provide our services with the same range, depth and speed our clients around the world experience today, damaging their businesses and putting our sectors at a distinct competitive disadvantage," the council said in a letter to May.