The impact of Brexit on public services must be given priority in negotiations with the EU, local government financial experts have urged.
Launching its latest Brexit Balance Sheet, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) says leaving the EU will have 'an immeasurable impact on all aspects of UK public services, including areas such as staffing, funding and procurement.'
But it also says Brexit will provide 'a catalyst for much-needed public service reform' including reviewing expensive and complex regulations, immigration and regional funding.
It says there must be a 'radical increase' in public expenditure on infrastructure to overcome any loss of income due to negative economic consequences and loss of EU staff.
CIPFA chief executive Rob Whiteman said: 'As we begin to unwind a 40-year-old trading and political relationship, we must ensure that all negotiators, despite their political differences, are singing from the same hymn sheet - that any deal must strengthen and not weaken public services.'