{
  "id": 7074498,
  "title": "UK should rejoin EU customs union, Osborne says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/uk-should-rejoin-eu-customs-union-osborne-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T07:03:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026/0913/1591339-george-osborne/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former British chancellor George Osborne has argued that rejoining the EU customs union would be the quickest way for the UK economy to recover following Brexit. Speaking to The Independent, Osborne lamented that Brexit has been a \"mess\" and negatively impacted the British economy. While acknowledging the difficulty of rejoining the EU a decade after the referendum, Osborne suggested that closer ties with Europe could help boost the economy. He stated that rejoining the customs union is a \"quite simple thing to do\" and criticized the supposed trade deals Britain was to strike with America. Osborne believes that focusing on reviving trade with the continent and attracting investment should be a priority for addressing Britain's growth issues.",
  "summary": "Former British chancellor George Osborne has said the UK's economy has \"fallen off a cliff\" since Brexit and that rejoining the EU customs union would be the fastest route to recovery.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former British chancellor George Osborne suggests rejoining EU customs union.",
    "Brexit negatively impacted British economy, Osborne says.",
    "Prioritize reviving trade with continent and attracting investment."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rejoining the EU customs union would help boost the economy and address Britain's growth issues by reviving trade with the continent and attracting investment, according to former chancellor George Osborne.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}