Ben Habib has shot down claims Brits are worse off post-Brexit (Image: Getty)
Remoaners complaining they have been left worse off following Brexit have been quickly shut down by a former MEP. A recent report from the National Institute of Economic & Social Research (NIESR) on the economic impact of Brexit has ignited a fiery debate, drawing scepticism from key figures who challenge the validity of the findings.
The NIESR argues that Brexit has resulted in a 3 per cent lower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the UK, equating to an average loss of ￡850 per British citizen.
Additionally, the report suggests a decline in productivity and a "permanent reduction in the willingness to invest" in the United Kingdom.
Former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib has robustly dismissed these claims, branding the NIESR as an "unashamedly pro-EU/anti-British institution".
Powered By
00:00/02:32
10
10
Everton face record-breaking points deduction as Premier League demand brutal punishment
Share
Next
Stay
In a detailed note sent to Express.co.uk, Habib questioned the NIESR's methodology, particularly highlighting the trade aspect of their estimates.
READ MORE: Brexit Britain handed ￡21bn win with major new investment
He argued that for the UK's GDP to decline by the reported 3 per cent, trade with the EU would have had to collapse by at least 25 per cent, a scenario that, according to Habib, has not happened. He pointed out that UK exports to the EU have not only maintained stability but have increased, rising from ￡300 billion in 2019 to approximately ￡340 billion in 2022.
He said: “The NIESR, an unashamedly pro-EU/ anti-British institution, has for some time been wrongly arguing that the UK's GDP is 3 per cent lower because of Brexit.
"UK/EU trade contributes around only 12 per cent of the UK's GDP. For our GDP to fall by the NIESR estimate of 3 per cent, trade with the EU would have had to have collapsed by at least 25 per cent. That has not happened. Indeed, exports to the EU in 2022 were around ￡340 billion, up from ￡300 billion in 2019 (pre-Brexit). Some of this post-Brexit increase was due to inflation but trade has most certainly not collapsed - it has increased."
Don't miss...
Andrea Jenkyns tells Tories who don't want Brexit to 'sod off to Lib Dems' [VIDEO]
Pub in UK village closes after 300 years as 'nobody wants to work at weekends' [INSIGHT]
'Brexit convert' Michel Barnier to be invited to join the ERG by Mark Francois [ANALYSIS]
The NIESR is funded by various entities, including the European Commission. Funders of the NIESR encompass government departments, research councils such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), charitable foundations, and the private sector.
The inclusion of the European Commission as a funding source adds a layer of complexity to the discussion, raising questions about potential biases.
Habib accused Remainers of opportunism, asserting that they are quick to grasp at any straw to undermine the UK. Despite acknowledging economic challenges, he contended that the UK is outperforming some European counterparts, notably France and Germany.
Trending
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
He said: "As ever, Remoaners will grasp at any straw to rubbish the United Kingdom. In the case of the NIESR, they use convoluted modelling to produce nonsense.
"A cursory glance across Europe would inform all that the UK is doing relatively well. Yes, we are in a huge economic pickle but that is our own domestic creation. And, even with our problems, we are doing a lot better than France and Germany.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Bizarre video shows radical new president's plans to scrap every government department
59 Comments
Has Jeremy Hunt done enough to give the Tories a boost? asks Leo McKinstry
11 Comments
POLL: Should Jeremy Hunt cut inheritance tax in the Autumn Statement?
396 Comments
What will Jeremy Hunt announce in the Autumn Statement?
5 Comments
Chancellor: War on inflation is turning economy around
22 Comments
UK borrowing doubles to ￡22.7billion in October compared to a year ago
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak promises to reduce tax burden now inflation halved
23 Comments
What is the point of this copycat Autumn Statement ripping off Liz Truss's mini-Budget?
94 Comments
Jeremy Hunt provides ‘biggest business tax cut in modern history'
15 Comments
Rishi Sunak's global tax deal is worse than handing powers to the EU, says Fred de Fossad
22 Comments
'Stop being so defeatist!' Jeremy Hunt loses it on air with Sky News' negativity about UK
210 Comments
EU budget at risk as German economy on its knees after ￡52 billion court ruling
833 Comments
'I saw Truss's mini-budget unravel inside No10 - did Jeremy Hunt learn the right lesson?'
11 Comments
‘Damage limitation': Jeremy Hunt's Budget won't stop election defeat, says Ann Widdecombe
110 Comments
Jeremy Hunts Autumn statement: ‘We'll reduce debt, cut tax and reward hard work'
27 Comments
EU budget in peril as bloc set to place staggering 12 countries on 'watch list'
67 Comments
Bond markets crash ahead of Autumn Statement as investors anxiously await tax cuts
62 Comments
'We've grown faster than all of them!' Jeremy Hunt hails UK for smashing eurozone growth
111 Comments
France ministers to be shoved into smaller offices as Macron tries to save ￡10bn
4 Comments
National Insurance slashed from 12% to 10% to help 27 million - see how you are affected
119 Comments
Bizarre video shows radical new president's plans to scrap every government department
59 Comments
Has Jeremy Hunt done enough to give the Tories a boost? asks Leo McKinstry
11 Comments
POLL: Should Jeremy Hunt cut inheritance tax in the Autumn Statement?
396 Comments
What will Jeremy Hunt announce in the Autumn Statement?
5 Comments
Chancellor: War on inflation is turning economy around
22 Comments
UK borrowing doubles to ￡22.7billion in October compared to a year ago
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak promises to reduce tax burden now inflation halved
23 Comments
What is the point of this copycat Autumn Statement ripping off Liz Truss's mini-Budget?
94 Comments
Jeremy Hunt provides ‘biggest business tax cut in modern history'
15 Comments
Rishi Sunak's global tax deal is worse than handing powers to the EU, says Fred de Fossad
22 Comments
'Stop being so defeatist!' Jeremy Hunt loses it on air with Sky News' negativity about UK
210 Comments
EU budget at risk as German economy on its knees after ￡52 billion court ruling
833 Comments
'I saw Truss's mini-budget unravel inside No10 - did Jeremy Hunt learn the right lesson?'
11 Comments
‘Damage limitation': Jeremy Hunt's Budget won't stop election defeat, says Ann Widdecombe
110 Comments
Jeremy Hunts Autumn statement: ‘We'll reduce debt, cut tax and reward hard work'
27 Comments
EU budget in peril as bloc set to place staggering 12 countries on 'watch list'
67 Comments
Bond markets crash ahead of Autumn Statement as investors anxiously await tax cuts
62 Comments
'We've grown faster than all of them!' Jeremy Hunt hails UK for smashing eurozone growth
111 Comments
France ministers to be shoved into smaller offices as Macron tries to save ￡10bn
4 Comments
National Insurance slashed from 12% to 10% to help 27 million - see how you are affected
119 Comments
Bizarre video shows radical new president's plans to scrap every government department
59 Comments
Has Jeremy Hunt done enough to give the Tories a boost? asks Leo McKinstry
11 Comments
POLL: Should Jeremy Hunt cut inheritance tax in the Autumn Statement?
396 Comments
What will Jeremy Hunt announce in the Autumn Statement?
5 Comments
Chancellor: War on inflation is turning economy around
22 Comments
UK borrowing doubles to ￡22.7billion in October compared to a year ago
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak promises to reduce tax burden now inflation halved
23 Comments
"Indeed, Brexit offers us the opportunity to rocket propel our economy. To boom we need to ditch the straitjacket of EU regulations, including the ridiculous inexorable march to Net Zero.
"All we need is a competent government with the courage to Brexit properly and take advantage of the freedoms gained."
Related articles Tories move to clamp down on low paid migrants ahead of this week's annual stats Major Brexit win as wages soar after uncontrolled migration brought in check Michel Barnier pinpoints Brexit regret – but tells Keir Starmer 'door is open' Viktor Orban teams up with Brexiteers in Brussels to wage anti-woke war on EU Kemi Badenoch to fire starting gun on new ￡16bn South Korean trade deal