Rob Whiteman, CEO of CIPFA, commented on Prime Minister Theresa May's speech on Brexit:
"Prime Minister May's announcement today offered some clarity around the UK Government's approach to Brexit negotiations. But it provides little certainty for hard-pressed public services, the health of which is dependent on a strong economy and access to the right labour and expertise.
"The EU will play hardball, so we cannot assume it will agree to a bespoke arrangement that would serve UK interests.
"This is a game of Russian roulette, where the prize is not committing economic suicide."
ENDS
For media enquiries contact the CIPFA press office on T: 020 7543 5830 or E: Saskia.black@cipfa.org
Notes to editors
About CIPFA
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one which specialises in the public services. It is responsible for the education and training of professional accountants and for their regulation through the setting and monitoring of professional standards.
Uniquely among the professional accountancy bodies in the UK, CIPFA has responsibility for setting accounting standards for a significant part of the economy, namely local government. CIPFA’s members work (often at the most senior level) in the public service bodies, in the national audit agencies and major accountancy firms. They are respected throughout for their high technical and ethical standards and professional integrity. CIPFA also provides a range of high quality advisory, information and training and consultancy services to public service organisations. As such, CIPFA is the leading independent commentator on managing and accounting for public money.