Government confirms that Brexit impact study will cover architecture

The government has confirmed that architecture is one of 58 sectors covered by studies into the economic impact of Brexit – but has refused to release details of this work.
The Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) published the list following a Freedom of Information request from Seema Malhotra, a Labour MP on the Brexit committee, but declined to release the details of these impact studies saying it would damage the Brexit negotiations process.
The 58 key areas, which cover nearly 90 per cent of the economy, also include construction and engineering, as well as rail.
A UK government spokesperson said: ‘The Department for Exiting the European Union, working with officials across government, continues to undertake a wide range of analysis to support progress in the negotiations and ensure we are ready for Brexit whatever the outcome. This list details the 58 sectors that are used in the analysis and covers the breadth of the UK economy.
‘Clearly, this analysis is closely tied to our negotiating position and it would undoubtedly be detrimental to our interests in the negotiation to publish it.
‘The government has been clear on this point, and Parliament has voted not to disclose material that could damage the United Kingdom’s position in its negotiations with the EU.’
The government’s refusal to release the details comes after RIBA published a document last week with eight key recommendations for the UK after leaving the EU, including finding an agreement over the rights of non-UK EU citizens living in Britain.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference earlier this month, RIBA president Ben Derbyshire called on the government to form a ‘united voice’ about Brexit.
But, Malhotra criticised the government, saying its approach ‘seems to be more about keeping parliament and the public in the dark’.
She added: ‘Parliament is not here to give the government a blank cheque on Brexit, but to assist in achieving the best deal for our economy and society.’