BREXIT - Is This Really Still Rumbling On? 😴

Stevo_666

And here is an argument as to why we shouldn't get too stressed about whether a deal is forthcoming in the next day or so:

https://telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/12/12/last-minute-brexit-deal-isnt-deal-worth-having/?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-rhr

In case it's behind a paywall:
"Company directors will spend the weekend watching for whiffs of white smoke emerging from Brussels. Supply chains will hang in the balance as the Prime Minister dashes from Paris to Berlin to the The Hague in a desperate attempt to cobble together a compromise. Lights will be burning overnight at the banks as assets are shifted to Frankfurt or Amsterdam ahead of a break-down in the talks, and retailers will be booking extra warehouse space to stock-up in case there are shortages. Over the weekend, we are all meant to be on tenterhooks while we see if a trade bargain with the EU can be agreed at the last moment.

There is a problem, however. A one-minute-to-midnight deal isn’t worth having. The value of a trade deal is that it avoids all the disruption, and the extra costs, tariffs, quotas and paperwork of switching to World Trade Organisation rules. But businesses have already had to make those preparations, and spend that money. They can’t ask for a refund now.

A trade deal with the EU that had been signed and sealed in the summer would have been fantastic. One finally agreed over Christmas might work politically, but economically it is an irrelevance. We have already paid the costs of no-deal - and at this late stage in the day we might as well just walk away.

The clock has been ticking down to this moment ever since Britain voted to leave the EU way back in 2016. Our one year transitional arrangement comes to an end this month, and the two sides remain as far apart as ever on issues from fish to regulatory alignment. Whether a compromise is possible, or either side is willing to back down, remains to be seen.

One point is surely clear, however. It has been left very late in the day. If there is a deal, it is likely to come at one minute to midnight. That is the way the EU always works, and the way most political deadlocks are broken. And of course, that is the moment when there will be maximum political pressure on both sides.

With chaos looming, minds will start to focus. As dawn breaks on Monday morning, Michel Barnier and David Frost may well be able to toss their facemasks into the air and announce that a deal has been agreed. The trouble is, while that might work politically, it doesn’t work for businesses or for the economy.

In truth, a trade deal with the EU doesn’t make much difference in the long-term. Even if there are tariffs and quotas, they are relatively minor, and will simply be compensated for by movements in the exchange rate, as well as the reduced costs of regulation. And while there may well be some additional paperwork for border checks that is mostly mid-level administrative work. Some extra systems will have to be put in place, but advances in software and artificial intelligence means it may well be automated anyway. It will cost some money, but the sums are not huge.

The major cost of ‘no deal’ is the short-term disruption. If supply chains are hit, it will take out production, and cause delays, and with the Covid-19 crisis still raging, that will all come at the worst possible time. Yet the trouble with a last-minute deal is that it doesn’t fix any of those problems. Here’s why.

First, we have already made the preparations. It is very hard to believe that there is a single company out there that hasn’t thought about what the consequences of no-deal will be. If they need extra systems, or some more staff, or additional IT, they will have already put that in place. There is no point in waiting until December 30th. The money has been spent, and you can’t send the kit back to the showroom. Whether we do a deal or not doesn’t make any difference financially anymore.

Next, we are going to get the disruption anyway. We are already starting to see snarl-ups at the ports, and that may well carry on through January and February. Money has shifted out of the City in case we lose our passporting rights, and even with computer transfers it can’t be bought back instantly. Supply chains have already been re-shaped, and stockpiles built up ahead of a collapse in the talks. If a trade deal is agreed in the next few days, that is almost certainly going to carry on. At this stage, the UK economy is going to take a hit regardless of what happens.

Finally, alternatives are being put in place. The EU only this week came up with ‘emergency’ plans to keep planes flying, and ports open. The same will be true across sectors from trade to transport to services and finance. Again, that all takes time and money, but the work has been done, and no one is getting a refund.

The net result? The British economy is going to suffer some damage from ending the transitional arrangement with the EU without a trade deal. There is no point in denying that. Whether it is worth it for the increased regulatory freedom we will find out over the next decade or so. But money and resources have already been spent to mitigate that. It is, in effect, already priced in.

Even sterling hardly moves on the latest news from Brussels because traders can see it no longer makes any difference anymore. A deal a year ago, or even in the summer, would have saved everyone a huge amount of time and money. It’s a shame one wasn’t reached. But unless the terms on offer are very attractive - and that seems unlikely - the UK might as well walk away. The EU specialises in last-minute, down to the wire compromises cooked up at two o’clock in the morning. But this one isn’t going to be worth having."

kingstongraham

Who wrote that?

For me, deal or no deal makes no big difference. There'll be either a tariff of zero or a tariff of x%. That preparation is the same, the paperwork is pretty much the same. The big difference is the tariff level.

rick_chasey

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

surrey_commuter

This is surprisingly amusing by the DM

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9047129/Ten-ways-help-make-No-Deal-Brexit-success-Britain.html

ugo.santalucia

I tend to agree that tariffs make little difference to consumer choices, as currencies fluctuate anyway and people are not going to buy Jack Daniels instead of McCallan because the latter is 2 euro per bottle dearer...

Other things will be affected by the lack of a deal: if your holiday ends up costing 50% more because of health insurance and a weaker currency, many will simply not be able to afford it... jobs will go.

The total volume of trade will probably be reduced (good for the environment?), as people will delay buying a new car and jobs will go. Delays in the supply chain mean I won't be able to order a new pair of Vittoria tyres when I need them and will stick to the old tyres a little longer, jobs will go... uncertainty over the future will curb investment and more jobs will go... that's almost inevitable and made worse by the lack of some kind of arrangement

skyblueamateur

I would broadly agree with the Telegraph article and the difference between No deal and deal now is largely irrelevant unless your core product is one of the high tariff items.

They are incorrect by saying that business has taken the financial hit now though, as although the cost of preparing for Brexit may have been paid, what can't have filtered through yet is the massive increase in freight charges, customs clearance fees and tariffs. These are huge costs to business' and I can't see how they don't mean some increases for consumers on all imported items.

coopster_the_1st

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

Are you still trying stoke the World War III project fear nonsense again.

I would expect to get arrested if I took from the French champagne or Spanish Orange growers, so the same applies to French and other EU fishermen in UK waters 👍

TheBigBean

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

You know there is a difference between threatening a country and policing rogue fisherman? The navy also makes drug busts. Are they too acts of war?

rick_chasey

TheBigBean said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

You know there is a difference between threatening a country and policing rogue fisherman? The navy also makes drug busts. Are they too acts of war?

The whole thing is pathetic.

The fishermen don’t need the Royal Navy. They need a decent agreement.

My point is Brexit has opened up Pandora’s box for various flash points between nations which is entirely avoidable.

It is pathetic.

You think the French nationalists are any better than the tubthumping lot over here? They’re just as bad.

Stevo_666

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

You seem unable to differentiate between war and prevention of theft, as others have already remarked.

john80

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

That shows a complete lack of awareness as to why developed nations neighbouring each other have stopped launching wars a couple of times a decade. I will give you a clue it is down to weapons systems. France and Germany don't need to go nuclear to completely destroy each other in a matter of days. We are no longer sending thousands of men to look at each other across a trench. This is the real reason Europe has been peaceful and it is routed in weapons technology and self interest. The naivety of your argument is staggering.

Stevo_666

john80 said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

That shows a complete lack of awareness as to why developed nations neighbouring each other have stopped launching wars a couple of times a decade. I will give you a clue it is down to weapons systems. France and Germany don't need to go nuclear to completely destroy each other in a matter of days. We are no longer sending thousands of men to look at each other across a trench. This is the real reason Europe has been peaceful and it is routed in weapons technology and self interest. The naivety of your argument is staggering.

We are also in a military alliance called NATO, which could be relevant.

Stevo_666

Although to think that the EU was what stopped the countries of Europe going to war is pretty naive. Lots of them didn't join until quite recently and never went to war. Similarly, when the EU was just a trade bloc called the EEC, did that prevent war?

john80

ugo.santalucia said:

I tend to agree that tariffs make little difference to consumer choices, as currencies fluctuate anyway and people are not going to buy Jack Daniels instead of McCallan because the latter is 2 euro per bottle dearer...

Other things will be affected by the lack of a deal: if your holiday ends up costing 50% more because of health insurance and a weaker currency, many will simply not be able to afford it... jobs will go.

The total volume of trade will probably be reduced (good for the environment?), as people will delay buying a new car and jobs will go. Delays in the supply chain mean I won't be able to order a new pair of Vittoria tyres when I need them and will stick to the old tyres a little longer, jobs will go... uncertainty over the future will curb investment and more jobs will go... that's almost inevitable and made worse by the lack of some kind of arrangement

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100. Last time I checked my EU healthcare did not get me treatment in the USA. Holidays are not going to be 50% dearer as you logic is flawed.

What we will see is a shift of buying habits due to tariffs. That mass manufactured French brie will be closer in price to UK options. That German car will be dearer as there is a limit to how long VW can offer to pay consumer tariffs. The could not even get to 2021 without offering this deal.

Trade will be reduced due to covid more than Brexit in my view.

skyblueamateur

Michael Martin speaking a lot of sense on Marr

ugo.santalucia

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

Stevo_666

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

All those US, Japanese, Chinese etc tourists seem to manage it somehow.

surrey_commuter

I do find it amazing how many people have so much faith in the State to deal with any problems and ensure there are no losers.

It may seem harsh but I think it is important that fishermen and sheep farmers (as two examples) are left to fail. They will be a lesson to others for decades to come that actions have consequences. If they are all baled out then what incentive is there for anybody to moderate their own behaviour in the future?

john80

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

Insurance companies were always liable for repatriation costs and some treatment costs above immediate life saving in the EU. As always manage your health is your best way of reducing costs.

First.Aspect

rick_chasey said:

TheBigBean said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

You know there is a difference between threatening a country and policing rogue fisherman? The navy also makes drug busts. Are they too acts of war?

The whole thing is pathetic.

The fishermen don’t need the Royal Navy. They need a decent agreement.

My point is Brexit has opened up Pandora’s box for various flash points between nations which is entirely avoidable.

It is pathetic.

You think the French nationalists are any better than the tubthumping lot over here? They’re just as bad.

I don't think it will lead to war though, RC. You would need a major European country to have a popularist government with dangerous nationalistic views and little opposition in their parliament for that to be even remotely an issue.

rick_chasey

Who’s saying war?

🙄

The c unts are getting all hard over getting the navy involved to spank the French.

It’s all a pathetic willy waving over fish they don’t even eat

pangolin

john80 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

I tend to agree that tariffs make little difference to consumer choices, as currencies fluctuate anyway and people are not going to buy Jack Daniels instead of McCallan because the latter is 2 euro per bottle dearer...

Other things will be affected by the lack of a deal: if your holiday ends up costing 50% more because of health insurance and a weaker currency, many will simply not be able to afford it... jobs will go.

The total volume of trade will probably be reduced (good for the environment?), as people will delay buying a new car and jobs will go. Delays in the supply chain mean I won't be able to order a new pair of Vittoria tyres when I need them and will stick to the old tyres a little longer, jobs will go... uncertainty over the future will curb investment and more jobs will go... that's almost inevitable and made worse by the lack of some kind of arrangement

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100. Last time I checked my EU healthcare did not get me treatment in the USA. Holidays are not going to be 50% dearer as you logic is flawed.

What we will see is a shift of buying habits due to tariffs. That mass manufactured French brie will be closer in price to UK options. That German car will be dearer as there is a limit to how long VW can offer to pay consumer tariffs. The could not even get to 2021 without offering this deal.

Trade will be reduced due to covid more than Brexit in my view.

One of the depressingly predictable side effects of covid is that brexit fans have an oven ready excuse for the inevitable downsides of leaving the EU.

tailwindhome

Stevo_666 said:

john80 said:

rick_chasey said:

Stevo_666 said:

rjsterry said:

Stevo_666 said:

I guess if there is no deal, then we can say to Macron 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'

I look forward to Johnson performing some herring related photo-opp. I think Macron probably has same ability to control the French fishing fleet as we do of our football fans.

I'm sure the Royal Navy can control them

The irony in Brexiters suggesting the EU was not responsible for the longest peacetime era in Europe for god knows how long and literally the day after Britain leaves they’re threatening nato allies and EU members with the navy.

So pathetic the whole thing.

That shows a complete lack of awareness as to why developed nations neighbouring each other have stopped launching wars a couple of times a decade. I will give you a clue it is down to weapons systems. France and Germany don't need to go nuclear to completely destroy each other in a matter of days. We are no longer sending thousands of men to look at each other across a trench. This is the real reason Europe has been peaceful and it is routed in weapons technology and self interest. The naivety of your argument is staggering.

We are also in a military alliance called NATO, which could be relevant.

Are we going to war with France or not? 😂

ugo.santalucia

john80 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

Insurance companies were always liable for repatriation costs and some treatment costs above immediate life saving in the EU. As always manage your health is your best way of reducing costs.

That doesn't solve the problem. I, like many others, never bought health insurance for EU trips... now we will have to. I'll have no problems to get cover and I am sure I can afford to, but remember half of the population is on some prescription... many of them will struggle to get affordable cover now... so they will be bound to remain in the UK for the rest of their life... it is likely the majority of them will be of advanced age and as a an average the majority will have voted FOR Brexit, so that is some consolation to me, not to the many who instead are in that position and voted to remain...

First.Aspect

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

Insurance companies were always liable for repatriation costs and some treatment costs above immediate life saving in the EU. As always manage your health is your best way of reducing costs.

That doesn't solve the problem. I, like many others, never bought health insurance for EU trips... now we will have to. I'll have no problems to get cover and I am sure I can afford to, but remember half of the population is on some prescription... many of them will struggle to get affordable cover now... so they will be bound to remain in the UK for the rest of their life... it is likely the majority of them will be of advanced age and as a an average the majority will have voted FOR Brexit, so that is some consolation to me, not to the many who instead are in that position and voted to remain...

Worldwide annual travel insurance, including cover for sorts such as skiing, including the US where half your battle is the other guy's medical insurance, is less than the cost of most phone handset upgrades. It isn't going to go through the roof by adding a group of less dangerous or costly countries.

Pross

surrey_commuter said:

I do find it amazing how many people have so much faith in the State to deal with any problems and ensure there are no losers.

It may seem harsh but I think it is important that fishermen and sheep farmers (as two examples) are left to fail. They will be a lesson to others for decades to come that actions have consequences. If they are all baled out then what incentive is there for anybody to moderate their own behaviour in the future?

Do we bail out banks the next time they fail to moderate their behaviour or are they still too big to allow them to fail?

kingstongraham

First.Aspect said:

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

Insurance companies were always liable for repatriation costs and some treatment costs above immediate life saving in the EU. As always manage your health is your best way of reducing costs.

That doesn't solve the problem. I, like many others, never bought health insurance for EU trips... now we will have to. I'll have no problems to get cover and I am sure I can afford to, but remember half of the population is on some prescription... many of them will struggle to get affordable cover now... so they will be bound to remain in the UK for the rest of their life... it is likely the majority of them will be of advanced age and as a an average the majority will have voted FOR Brexit, so that is some consolation to me, not to the many who instead are in that position and voted to remain...

Worldwide annual travel insurance, including cover for sorts such as skiing, including the US where half your battle is the other guy's medical insurance, is less than the cost of most phone handset upgrades. It isn't going to go through the roof by adding a group of less dangerous or costly countries.

Does yours not have an age limit? Mine says not available for over 70 for annual policy, over 75 for single trip.

surrey_commuter

Pross said:

surrey_commuter said:

I do find it amazing how many people have so much faith in the State to deal with any problems and ensure there are no losers.

It may seem harsh but I think it is important that fishermen and sheep farmers (as two examples) are left to fail. They will be a lesson to others for decades to come that actions have consequences. If they are all baled out then what incentive is there for anybody to moderate their own behaviour in the future?

Do we bail out banks the next time they fail to moderate their behaviour or are they still too big to allow them to fail?

Really not sure if you are serious or not.

First.Aspect

kingstongraham said:

First.Aspect said:

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

john80 said:

Sterling is not going to fall much further as Brexit is already priced in. You can currently buy worldwide travel insurance annually for less than £100.

Does that include Covid cover?

That's more or less what I had in mind... now, for a family of 4 that might just be too much...
Plus, it's going to be £ 100 if you don't have pre-existing medical conditions... obviously all those 50+ that invade the Costa del Sol will have high blood pressure and will be on at least a couple of medications... that will price up health cover, provided you are able to get it at all.

IMO, the loss of medical cover across the EU is the single biggest Brexit regret... in practice, it means a lot of people will not be able to go abroad anymore, which is very sad...

Insurance companies were always liable for repatriation costs and some treatment costs above immediate life saving in the EU. As always manage your health is your best way of reducing costs.

That doesn't solve the problem. I, like many others, never bought health insurance for EU trips... now we will have to. I'll have no problems to get cover and I am sure I can afford to, but remember half of the population is on some prescription... many of them will struggle to get affordable cover now... so they will be bound to remain in the UK for the rest of their life... it is likely the majority of them will be of advanced age and as a an average the majority will have voted FOR Brexit, so that is some consolation to me, not to the many who instead are in that position and voted to remain...

Worldwide annual travel insurance, including cover for sorts such as skiing, including the US where half your battle is the other guy's medical insurance, is less than the cost of most phone handset upgrades. It isn't going to go through the roof by adding a group of less dangerous or costly countries.

Does yours not have an age limit? Mine says not available for over 70 for annual policy, over 75 for single trip.

Probably. That will be a new insurance market I guess. Being pragmatic (and setting aside for a moment that this is the demographic who voted for Brexit in the first place) if it is too expensive, it won't be purchased. And neither will that holiday or flight. Instead, it will simply be one more additional unwelcome expense at the Easyjet checkout to go along with all the others that people didn't realise they were voting for.

surrey_commuter

So there are many generalisations of who voted Leave from pensioners, fishermen, the left behind and farmers...

... to develop my earlier theme these are all people dependent upon the State.