The government is to launch a study of the economic benefits of reintroducing imperial units of measurement, to quantify a supposed advantage of Brexit.<\/p>\n
Ministers provoked mockery from opposition politicians with the ludicrous move, which will be overseen by the business department this year.<\/p>\n
In 2019, Boris Johnson pledged to usher in a new era of generosity and tolerance towards traditional measurements and suggested that measuring in pounds and ounces was ancient liberty.<\/p>\n
This month he appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg as minister for Brexit opportunities in order to examine how Britain can benefit from leaving the EU.<\/p>\n
Imperial-only labelling fell out of business use when Britain joined the European common market in the early 1970s, but some people who remember the esoteric counting system remain attached to it.<\/p>\n
Imperials alternative system of measuring weights and volume of products was used more or less exclusively in Britain though the US maintains a parallel system with similar names but different measurements.<\/p>\n
As opposed to the metric system of weight, in which 1,000 grams are equivalent to one kilogram, the imperial system says there are 14 pounds in a stone and 16 ounces in a pound.<\/p>\n
For liquid, there are 20 fluid ounces in a pint and 160 fluid ounces in a gallon, instead of metrics 1,000 millilitres in a litre.<\/p>\n
While the measurements have largely been out of use for some 60 years, they are believed by politicians to be beloved of some older voters, and so occasionally become a political issue. In reality, Britain operates a mixed system, with businesses using metric weights and measures, while imperial miles are used on roadsigns and pints used in pubs.<\/p>\n
Paul Scully, a Tory business minister, said reintroducing imperial labelling would be an important step in taking back control and that a planned assessment of the economic impact on business will be carried out in due course.<\/p>\n
But the Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Sarah Olney accused the government of wasting taxpayer money and said there were more important things to worry about.<\/p>\n
The fact the government is undertaking a study into this shows just how out of touch they are, she told The Independent.<\/p>\n
Its ludicrous that they think this will help businesses after they hit them with a national insurance rise and have done nothing to help with their soaring energy bills.<\/p>\n
Ministers must explain how reverting to a system not used in nearly 60 years will help businesses attract new customers, and how imperial units will be of any help to companies looking to trade with the rest of the world when the vast majority of countries use the metric system.<\/p>\n
A woman walks miniature poodles into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
A visitor looks at the piece of art called \"Myth Explored, explained and exploded\" dated of 1993, during a press visit of the exhibition \"Natural History\" dedicated to British artist Damien Hirst and his formaldehyde sculptures at the Gagosian Kings Cross gallery, in London<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
MPs giving a standing ovation to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky after he speaks to them by live video-link in the House of Commons, in London<\/p>\n
UK PARLIAMENT\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
A mural of Ringo Starr, commissioned by Liverpool artist John Culshaw, is unveiled on the gable end of the Empress Pub on Admiral Street in Toxteth, Liverpool<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Cars make their way along the flooded A1101 in Welney in Norfolk<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
People hold placards as they take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Trafalgar Square, London<\/p>\n
AP<\/p>\n
Volunteers help sort through fresh donations after more than 500 boxes of essential supplies were gathered by Parenting Network at Portsmouth Guildhall<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Commuters wait to get on a bus near Liverpool Street Station as all London Underground lines are suspended after thousands of workers began strike action in London<\/p>\n
EPA<\/p>\n
Rend Platings and her husband Michael outside their home in Cambridge, which they have painted in the colours of the Ukraine flag in a show of support for friends in the country<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Players take part in the Royal Shrovetide Football Match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, which has been played in the town since the 12th century<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Donations at the Klub Orla Bialego (White Eagle Club) in Balham, south London, made by members of the public, prior to their aid convoy setting off to Ukraine in aid of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
People protest in front of the National Gallery in London against Russias massive military operation in Ukraine<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George in the stands during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
People head to St Marys Cathedral to light candles after a demonstration outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
People protest against the Russian invasion on Ukraine outside Downing Street in London<\/p>\n
EPA<\/p>\n
Swimmers from Hampstead Ponds cross the road in their swimming costumes outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, as they await the result of a judicial review brought by Christina Efthimiou over whether the charges for bathing at the ponds in Hampstead Heath unlawfully discriminate against disabled people<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Runners line up for the start of The Anshin Security Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle at Taunton Racecourse<\/p>\n
Getty<\/p>\n
Shoes on display at the ROKER AW22 presentation at London Fashion Week, in London<\/p>\n
EPA<\/p>\n
The waters of the River Severn in edge towards homes in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as more wet and windy weather is set to sweep the UK. Storm Franklin is set to strike the UK just days after Storm Eunice destroyed buildings and left 1.4 million homes without power<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Damaged caused to home of Dominic Good, in Stondon Massey, near Brentwood, Essex, after a 400-year-old oak tree in his garden was uprooted by Storm Eunice.<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protest against the use of feathers in clothing, ahead of London Fashion Week<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
Waves crashing on the seafront at Blackpool before Storm Dudley hits the north of England<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Hailey Duff, left, Vicky Wright, centre and Jennifer Dodds in action for Great Britsin during their womens curling round robin match against Japan at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Team GB sealed a 10-4 victory<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
Members of the Household Cavalry walk past Wellington Arch and a large inflatable heart, on Valentine's Day in London<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
People in costume attend the Whitby Steampunk Weekend in Yorkshire<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
People in Parliament Square, London, take part in the People's Assembly nationwide protest about cost of living crisis<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Romney sheep graze the grass around the dormant vines at Nyetimber's Manor Vineyard at West Chiltington in West Sussex. The herd from a local farm form part of Nyetimber's sustainability program and are utilised for vineyard maintenance, keeping the grass low, reducing the risk of frost, maintaining grass leys on the estate and saving the cost of fuel for mowing<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Alice Wyllie looks at projections featuring details of some of the illustration plates during the press view for Audubon's Birds of America exhibition at the National Museum Of Scotland, Edinburgh<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
New arrival Upendi and mother Cheka in the bonobo enclosure at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Workers move a crate containing Season's Greetings by street artist Banksy from a retail unit at Ty'r Orsaf, Port Talbot, prior to its journey to a temporary storage unit at an undisclosed location<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Dog walkers enjoy the early morning sunrise at Tynemouth Beach in North Tyneside, on the north east coast of England<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
A Leicester City invades the pitch as Nottingham Forest celebrate scoring their sides third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at the City Ground, Nottingham<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Stadium staff remove a flare from the pitch during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at Selhurst Park<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
\"The Nuba Survival\" is a five-metre-tall statue of two skeletons locked in an embrace in Checkendon, Oxfordshire. The statue was created by local artist John Buckley<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Kew horticulturists attending to the Rising sun display at the Kew Orchid Festival: Costa Rica, at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, west London<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Protesters campaign against corruption in London<\/p>\n
EPA<\/p>\n
Lorries queue for the Port of Dover in Kent, as the Dover TAP is enforced due to the high volume of lorries waiting to cross the Channel<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Nelson Beaumont-Laurencia applies finishing touches to a sculpture of a tiger, commissioned byManchester Business Improvement District to celebrate the Chinese New Year, is unveiled in St Anns Square<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
A house on Overhill terrace in Gateshead, lost its roof on 29 January after strong winds from Storm Malik battered northern parts of the UK<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
A newly painted bicycle sign is seen on the middle of the road at Westminster Bridge, as the new Highway Code rules start today together with giving pedestrians priority at junctions<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
School children take part in a rally in support of British Sign Language becoming a recognised language in the UK, outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, as the British Sign Language Private Members Bill, introduced by Rosie Cooper MP, reaches its second reading in the House<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
A rare six-week-old southern white rhino calf called Zawadi, explores her paddock for the first time at Africa Alive! in Lowestoft<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson jogs with his dog Dilyn, in London<\/p>\n
REUTERS<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Visit link:<\/p>\n
Government to launch study on economic benefits of reintroducing imperial units - The Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The government is to launch a study of the economic benefits of reintroducing imperial units of measurement, to quantify a supposed advantage of Brexit. Ministers provoked mockery from opposition politicians with the ludicrous move, which will be overseen by the business department this year. Continue reading