Britain has made “tremendous progress” in seizing the opportunities opened up by Brexit to address the challenges facing the country, Rishi Sunak said.

In a statement on Tuesday marking the third anniversary of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, the prime minister said the country was confidently embarking on a new path as an “independent nation”.

Among the benefits of the break with Brussels, he highlighted the opening of eight new free ports, the plans to review or abolish the European bureaucracy and the reform of the regime of subsidies to companies.

However, his upbeat analysis contrasts with recent polls that suggest growing dissatisfaction with the direction Brexit is taking.

In his statement, Sunak said: “In the three years since we left the EU, we have made great strides in harnessing the freedoms unleashed by Brexit to meet generational challenges.

“Whether it’s leading Europe’s fastest vaccine rollout, securing trade deals with more than 70 countries or regaining control of our borders, we have paved the way as a confident independent nation.

“And in my first 100 days as Prime Minister, that momentum hasn’t slowed – we’re cutting red tape for businesses, leveling our free ports and designing our own fairer farming system to protect Britain’s countryside.

“This is just the start of our plans to deliver on our five priorities, including growing the economy so we can create better paying jobs, and I am determined to ensure the benefits of Brexit continue to flow, empowering communities and businesses. in all the country. . ”

A poll published by Ipsos on Monday found that 45% thought Brexit was going worse than expected, a sharp increase from 28% in June 2021, including just over one in four (26%) of those who voted in the 2016 referendum.

Less than one in 10 (9%) (six points less than in 2021) said it worked better than expected, while almost two in five (39%) said it met their expectations, a drop of seven points.

– Ipsos surveyed 1,000 UK adults aged 18-75 online on January 25-26.