Post-Brexit UK financial sector will be 'most important in the world' EU official admits

Gunter Verheugen, a German politician who served as a European Commissioner for over ten years, made the statement in a pre-recorded interview on the late night BBC show.

کد خبر: ۷۶۸۳۵۴

تاریخ: ۰۷ بهمن ۱۳۹۶ - ۰۸:۵۸

Addressing the scaremongering rumours that the UK would see bankers dash to the continent if Britain voted to leave the EU, Mr Verheugen said he believed the divorce would create little change in the financial sector.

He said: “I believe the United Kingdom is competitive due to the fact that they have the best universities in Europe.

“After Brexit London will remain the most important financial hub, not only in Europe but worldwide.”

Since the June 2016 vote, doom-mongers have been proven wrong on their analysis of an independent UK as the UK economy continues to boom.

Exceeding expectations, growth in the fourth quarter of last year was 0.5 per cent, official figures released earlier this week revealed.

The Office for National Statistics figures also show output as a whole rose last year by around 1.8 per cent.

That is more than the 1.5 per cent the Office for Budget Responsibility predicted only two months ago.

It also significantly outstripped the Treasury’s Project Fear warnings during the referendum campaign.

Meanwhile, the Remain supporting Governor of the Bank of England, Make Carney, appeared to have a change of heart when he reassured the Government would not have to worry about Brexit's impact on the financial sector.

He said: "The Government doesn’t have to worry about the impact on the financial sector because it will be able to withstand and support the economy.

Speaking on BBC Newsnight Mr Verheugen also said the EU was no longer planning to “punish” the UK for voting leave in the referendum.

Following the UK’s continued growth he said the remaining member states were finally realising it was important to appease Britain rather than try to isolate them.

He said: “The initial reaction that the United Kingdom must be punished is now changing and people begin to understand the only real solution is to find an arrangement that is the best possible for both sides, that takes into account the interests and the needs of both sides.”

Germany’s Angela Merkel has been one of those pushing most heavily for a deal that would aim to hinder the UK post-2019.

But Mr Verheugen, who served under Ms Merkel during his time at the EU, said such a deal would also be bad for Germany.

He added: “For the German economy it is extremely, extremely important not to damage the economic relationship.”