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Continuity Trade Agreements: Parliamentary Scrutiny
17 November 2020
Lead MP
Greg Hands
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSEconomyBusiness & TradeAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 47
At a Glance
Greg Hands raised concerns about continuity trade agreements: parliamentary scrutiny in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The UK Government have signed or agreed in principle with 52 countries, accounting for £142 billion of UK trade, which is 74% of the value of non-EU bilateral trade. This includes an enhanced deal with Japan worth £30 billion. The minister emphasises that all agreements will undergo parliamentary scrutiny as per the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. Provisional application may be used to ensure continuity of trade relationships post-transition period, despite concerns raised by some Members. Emphasis is placed on negotiating beneficial deals for British consumers and businesses while protecting high food standards and the NHS.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Question
The shadow minister raises concerns about the delay in securing trade agreements post-Brexit. She questions why only four were signed in 2020 compared to twenty in 2019, citing examples from other countries expressing dissatisfaction with Britain's performance. Thornberry accuses the Government of incompetence and demands clarity on new steps being taken to secure these deals before Christmas, potential failure to reach agreements with Mexico, and defending parliamentary scrutiny rules.
Minister reply
The Minister states that they are working diligently with around 700 dedicated officials to finalise the remaining trade agreements. He clarifies that provisional application is an accepted part of international procedure and not a bypassing of parliamentary scrutiny.
Marco Longhi
Con
Dudley North
Question
The MP inquires about the upcoming trade deal with Mercosur countries, particularly mentioning opportunities for British businesses to do more trade with Brazil.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms ongoing discussions with Brazil through the Joint Economic and Trade Committee. Success has been noted in financial services and food and drink sectors. However, he clarifies that a UK-Mercosur deal is not within the scope of this programme due to the absence of an EU-Mercosur deal.
Stewart Hosie
SNP
Dundee East
Question
The problem here is not simply the incomplete deals; it is the process we are following, which is not fit for purpose. MPs have no ability to vote to amend our negotiating mandate. We need a new system that allows MPs scrutiny and the ability to amend.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his questions. The Government’s Confidence and Supply Agreement (CRaG) process, while robust, offers additional reports and committee involvement. SNP Members voted against CRaG and have not supported many trade deals, so it is inconsistent of them to criticise now.
Chris Grayling
Con
Epsom and Ewell
Question
I commend my right hon. Friend for the work done in making as much progress as they have on free trade agreements. I ask him to ensure that environmental sustainability is set at the heart of future negotiations.
Minister reply
The UK’s new independent trade policy includes reducing import tariffs or eliminating them entirely on 104 environmental goods entering the UK and promoting low-carbon goods, services, R&D, innovation and science in sectors such as offshore wind, smart energy, and waste.
Angus MacNeil
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Question
The International Trade Committee reported on roll-over of trade deals in 2018. It is a huge concern that we still have not done 15 of those deals, including with the EU.
Minister reply
We have secured roll-over deals with 52 countries representing 74% of non-EU trade. Recent weeks saw deals signed with Ukraine, Côte d’Ivoire and Japan.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Question
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that Ghana’s deal with the EU is compatible with ECOWAS?
Minister reply
The UK agreement replicates the EU agreement, providing full duty-free, quota-free access to our market, consistent with the existing EU-Ghana stepping stone deal applied in 2016.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
Question
Why is he so terrified of parliamentary scrutiny? There is chaos and confusion in No. 10.
Minister reply
The CRaG process, set up by the last Labour Government, offers robust parliamentary scrutiny with additional reports and involvement from Select Committees.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton South
Question
Our departure from the EU offers a golden chance to lead the world in modern areas such as services, technology and advanced manufacturing.
Minister reply
Services represent 79% of our GDP and 80% of employment. The UK is a world leader in tech and digital, far ahead of France and Germany, with best-in-class industry, infrastructure, talent, and expertise.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent North
Question
Does he accept that democratic scrutiny needs to reflect not just the convenience of Government but proper oversight?
Minister reply
We are constantly talking about trade deals at this Dispatch Box. The CRaG process was set up under the last Labour Government and we have gone further with additional reports and committee involvement.
Laura Farris
Con
Croydon South
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that a deal with Canada is there for the taking?
Minister reply
We are confident we will secure an agreement with our Canadian partners by 1 January, and stand ready to expand this trade.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South
Question
These deals cut across many devolved powers, so surely there should be a significant consultation and scrutiny role for devolved Parliaments and Governments, learning from experience in Belgium and Canada, for example—or does the Minister share the Prime Minister’s rather extraordinary view that the devolution of powers was a mistake in the first place?
Minister reply
As we know, international trade is a reserved matter. However, it does have an influence on a large number of areas of devolved competence, so it is quite right that we involve the devolved Administrations in formulating our trade policy and approach to different trade negotiations. The ministerial forum for trade meets quarterly involving not only the UK Trade Minister but the three devolved Administrations.
Dehenna Davison
Con
Bishop Auckland
Question
Listening to what has been said so far, I am very glad that the Conservative party is in government, because we really recognise the value of free trade, not just in terms of GDP figures but the very real impact it has on our constituents—on the great people of Bishop Auckland and beyond. On that note, does my right hon. Friend agree with the interesting stance of the shadow Secretary of State that we should only make future trade deals with countries with which we have a trade deficit?
Minister reply
The shadow Secretary of State has come out with some extraordinary comments in recent times. That particular one sounded like it was verging on Trumpian mercantilism. Trade provides economic security at home and opportunities abroad, and is part of the Government’s levelling-up agenda.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
I am afraid I cannot share the relief of the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland that we have a Conservative Government, because as we move closer to the end of the transition period, my constituents, and constituents and businesspeople all over this country, are increasingly worried about their inability to secure the deals and clarity needed. Can the Minister give us some indication of where these deals are going to come from, how they will be settled and what scrutiny they will have in this place?
Minister reply
We have done continuity agreements with 52 countries accounting for £142 billion-worth of bilateral trade, and a bespoke bilateral deal with Japan. The actions taken secure the future of these trade agreements and improve on them.
Scott Benton
Con
High Peak
Question
May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the progress made so far in agreeing to roll over more than 20 of our existing trade deals? Is he able to reassure the House that the Government have sufficient capacity to continue to get trade deals over the line?
Minister reply
We are confident we have the capacity and the right people in place. The trade policy group has grown from around 45 at the time of the referendum in 2016 to more than 700.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
As my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury pointed out, the Canadian Prime Minister said last week that Canada was ready to reach a continuity agreement with the UK but that the British Government lacked the “bandwidth” to finalise the deal and indeed that his offer to provide support to the UK’s negotiators had not been taken up. Is not this just an embarrassing situation for the Government, who claim to be promoting global Britain?
Minister reply
We are in a good position with Canada. I am confident we will be getting a deal despite comments by the Canadian Prime Minister and Winston Peters. We need to take what they say during live negotiations with a pinch of salt.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the progress that has been made on the continuity agreements that are so vital for our country’s prosperity, not least in sectors such as agriculture, which is so important to my constituency. With that in mind, does he agree that, while the Opposition parties seek to play political acrobatics with trade, it is this Government who are listening and involving farmers in our future and continuity trade deals by putting the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right; we have been putting the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing so that all the National Farmers Unions from across the United Kingdom will play an active role in assessing trade agreements going forward.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
Even the Scottish Tory leader’s senior adviser, the former Tory MP for Angus, has said that this Government need a “wake-up call” as we see decisions taken by the UK Government without regard to Scotland. A failure to roll over these FTAs would lead to a tariff and quota disaster for Scotland’s £15 billion food and drink sector. Indeed, with food and drink exports four times more important to the Scottish economy than the English economy, we can see why Scottish producers are horrified at this abject ministerial failure. Why will the Minister not acknowledge this £38 billion crisis? What will he do to fix it for food and drink producers in Scotland?
Minister reply
We are working hard to roll over all these agreements despite them being opposed by the SNP in the first place. We have been rolling over around three quarters of the programme.
Jack Brereton
Con
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should continue to follow the significant headway we have been making on a number of these trade agreements, and that we should help great British businesses, such as those in Stoke-on-Trent, to grow jobs by making the most of these agreements?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right; both the Secretary of State and I have enjoyed meeting businesses in his constituency, particularly those in ceramics, ensuring that we get new opportunities for the ceramics industry in the Potteries.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
The Minister seems keen to tell us how hard he and his team are working; meanwhile, crucial trade partners such as Canada seem to feel that the Government just have not got their act together and are not giving this the attention it deserves. Does he not realise that what is really important here is that British businesses, which need certainty about what their trading arrangements will be in January, are sat here in the middle of November still no clearer about whether we are going to be able to trade tariff-free with Canada?
Minister reply
We have updated businesses after each deal and contacted Canada every day. We put a negotiating team in place as soon as Canada returned to the table.
Jacob Young
Con
Redcar
Question
Trade, and the jobs, investment and prosperity it brings, is an incredibly powerful way to level up our country and transform left-behind places such as Redcar and Cleveland. Does my right hon. Friend agree that promoting trade and helping our businesses to export is the best way to rebuild and reshape our economy?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend; we are engaging very strongly with the US on steel tariffs which his constituents will keep an ongoing interest in, making sure those unnecessary and counterproductive tariffs are removed.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Question
While recognising that negotiating international trade deals is a reserved matter, the Minister will be aware that many of the policy areas included in trade negotiations are devolved to Wales. Considering this, I find it quite incredible that trade deals can be signed without the formal agreement and approval of the Welsh Parliament. Earlier, he alluded that there had been engagement with the devolved Governments, but can he inform the House whether he has received any critique from the Welsh Government about the approach of the British Government to these continuity deals?
Minister reply
I have an excellent relationship with the Welsh Government and believe that the Welsh Parliament will recommend legislative consent to the Trade Bill. We are working together in the interests of all of the people of Wales.
Bury South
Question
I appreciate my right hon. Friend’s comments on this topic. I also welcome progress on continuity trade agreements so far as a first step to more comprehensive trade deals in the future. Does he agree that we cannot force countries back to the negotiating table and we must not do any deals at any price?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right: it takes two to tango, and that is as true for international trade agreements. If the partner does not want to negotiate, of course we will speak with them and use all the levers we have to try to get them to the table, but at the end of the day, if the partner does not want to negotiate, I am afraid that can happen.
South Shields
Question
If the Government were in control of this situation and favoured transparency, they would have come to the House to make a statement, not be forced to via an urgent question. British businesses need to know how existing arrangements will be preserved. The Government’s negligence is leaving them susceptible to disruption to as much as £80 billion of global trade. I have listened carefully to the Minister and, as expected, it was lacking in any detail. When will the Government be able to share any real detail on how we are going to avoid this imminent risk to jobs and livelihoods?
Minister reply
I would point the hon. Member to the agreements that we have signed in recent weeks with Ukraine, with Côte d’Ivoire and with Japan, with Kenya agreed in principle. We are looking forward to further agreements in the coming weeks that I hope she will welcome and support.
Question
Could I congratulate my right hon. Friend again on the Japan free trade deal his Department has just concluded, which has created new opportunities, such as for Lucideon in my constituency of Stoke-on-Trent Central? Does he share my enthusiasm about the deal as an important pathway to the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend—it is good to have so many Stoke MPs here, from our Benches, asking questions—is quite right. The CPTPP represents a fantastic future for this country, and I hope that we are able to apply for formal accession in early 2021.
Question
Our SPS—sanitary and phytosanitary—rules are based firmly on human health concerns, but they can have important animal welfare benefits by barring the import of food produced according to controversial intensive farming methods that would be unlawful here. With that in mind, will the Minister confirm that our trade deals will retain the ban in this country on ractopamine in pork and bovine somatotropin in dairy produce?
Minister reply
I can confirm that on 1 January under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 all of those existing rules will be transferred over to the UK statute book, and those bans will be maintained, which fulfils the manifesto pledge made by my right hon. Friend and I both individually and collectively last December.
Question
I recognise that Northern Ireland is part of UK trade policy. However, under the protocol, while our goods can freely circulate across the European Union, we are not covered by the EU’s free trade agreements. There are major concerns that companies that are part of the supply chain for EU products will now be excluded from those processes due to rules of origin complications. This is a major problem for our agrifood industry in particular, especially the dairy sector. Will the Minister undertake to give urgent consideration to these complicated issues?
Minister reply
I greatly respect the work the hon. Gentleman has done in Northern Ireland over recent years, and he and I met in a separate capacity last year to discuss some of these problems. He is right: it is clear that under the withdrawal agreement and the protocol Northern Ireland is covered by UK free trade agreements, which is absolutely the right position to be in. Rules of origin complications with EU trade agreements are part of the active negotiation between London and Brussels at this very moment.
Question
John Davies, who farms at Merthyr Cynog in my constituency, sits on the recently created Trade and Agriculture Commission in his role as president of NFU Cymru. He will be a loud voice for Welsh farmers, not holding back in his advice to Government. Does the Minister agree that having experts such as John scrutinising the detail of trade deals ensures they benefit Welsh farmers and proves this Government’s commitment to backing British farming?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and farming in Wales is so important that we have put its representatives on the Trade and Agriculture Commission not once, but twice; both NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales are on it. We have excellent interactions and hear their feedback at the Trade and Agriculture Commission, and we look forward to that continuing when it is put on a statutory footing.
Question
Wales has an exporting economy, with exports which in 2019 were worth £338 million with Turkey and £234 million with Canada. What assurance of stability can the Minister give Welsh exporters to these countries that they can continue their businesses next year?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for that question, and he is right to highlight the importance of Welsh exports. They are very important to us at the UK Department for International Trade, and we are working very hard to get continuity of our trading arrangements with Canada—the CETA.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
There is one section of the community for which trade deals are literally a matter of life and death for their business, not just some minor tweaking of tariffs and regulations. In the 1930s people could walk all the way from Lincoln to Grimsby across derelict farmland because of the import of cheap American wheat, so in the rush to conclude free trade deals will my right hon. Friend assure me that there will be a gold standard process in this House, equivalent to our old European Scrutiny Committees, so that Members of Parliament who represent rural seats can hold the Government to account and protect our superb farming industry?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend represents his rural Lincolnshire constituency very effectively. There is no rush to complete future free trade agreements; he mentioned particularly the United States and there was no rush to do that. It is very important that we get the right agreement rather than a quick agreement, and I have already detailed how our commitments to parliamentary scrutiny go well beyond the previous Government’s CRaG procedures; we have added a lot to that.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Minister for all he has done so far to secure the trade agreements, but may I ask him a question about the agrifood sector? Does the Minister agree that it is essential that we have the detailed proposals not simply to scrutinise, but also to get some indications to businesses who do not yet know how to plan for January, and whose position in limbo must come to a very speedy end? When does the Minister believe that that information will be available for those businesses?
Minister reply
As soon as we conclude one of these continuity agreements and sign it, we will seek to publish it as soon as possible and start the CRaG process. The hon. Gentleman asks about the agrifood sector, which is incredibly important to Northern Ireland. I have met representatives of the sector on various occasions. I suggest that he looks, as I am sure he has done, at the UK-Japan deal and the potential protection for about 70 geographic indicators in that deal, as a sign of our commitment to the whole agrifood sector.
Question
The potteries were founded in Burslem by Josiah Wedgwood. They are known worldwide for their world-leading ceramic tableware, which, sadly, those on the Labour Benches forgot about. As the proud Member for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke and the chair of the all-party group for ceramics, can I ask my right hon. Friend whether he agrees that deepening our trading ties with countries that share our values, ideals and high standards is essential for growth in the UK ceramics industry?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right. We have gone through Stoke from south through to central and now to north. I reiterate our commitment to the ceramics industry, ensuring that we break down barriers, and reduce and remove tariffs to our ceramic exports in a way that is consistent with the UK values that I know both he and I share.
Question
The Minister will know that when new trade agreements or changes to trade agreements can affect other areas of policy, there are, understandably, questions, so I thank him for meeting me on numerous occasions to discuss digital and trade policy. Specifically looking at the EU-Japan trade agreement, will the Minister say whether that agreement will change the enforcement powers for people’s data protection rights? Has his Department already consulted, or does it intend to do so, directly with the Information Commissioner on that?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for all his interaction. As the former Chairman of the Select Committee on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, he has genuine expertise in this area and has continued his interest in it. He mentioned the EU-Japan trade agreement, but I think he is really asking about the UK-Japan trade agreement and the difference with the EU-Japan deal. If I commit to write to him in some detail on exactly where those differences are, he will be able to see them. I expect the report that is being submitted to Parliament will look at those differences in some detail.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
Is it not true that the Government have just overstated the ease with which they would be able to do all this? We were going to have 40 trade deals on 29 March 2019, and we were going to have a trade area bigger than the EU, which was going to include China and the US. Prime Minister Trudeau said the talks hit the buffers because of the inability of the UK Government to negotiate trade deals—that is the truth of it. What are the Government going to do to ensure not only that we get these rollover trade deals dealt with, but that we have proper scrutiny of them?
Minister reply
I am glad the hon. Gentleman made his question as long as he did, because it gave me the chance to check the voting record on the Canada deal he just mentioned. He actually voted against it when the vote came to the House of Commons, so it is a bit rich of him now to complain it is not being rolled over.
Question
Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the officials and Ministers in his Department on achieving 74% of the continuity agreements we wanted with non-EU countries? Will he further update the House on the progress he intends to make with the other 26%?
Minister reply
Mr Speaker, I think I will use a cricketing analogy: we are 74 not out.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
At a time when our economy is in peril and just 44 days before we leave the transition arrangements, we still have no agreement with the EU. Fifteen continuity agreements are yet to be agreed, breaching the Government’s own deadline which the Prime Minister clearly said was immoveable, yet the Trade Minister comes to the Dispatch Box and says that he will extend provision into January. Will he tell businesses what will happen to their trade with those 15 countries on 1 January, so they can now make their plans?
Minister reply
If the agreement is made with the remaining countries and there is not the time to put it through the CRaG process before 31 December, it has the potential to be provisionally applied. The terms of that agreement will remain on 1 January in accordance with the existing EU deal going into that time, so there should be no interruption for businesses. Parliament will still have the opportunity, under the CRaG process, to give that agreement full scrutiny.
Question
I commend the great work of the Minister and the Department so far in securing trade deals across the world. West country produce is already the pride of a nation and it is proudly found on shelves from Stornoway to Sidmouth. Does he agree that by continuing the great work to break down the barriers to trade, we can export the best of the south-west and promote the finest standard of produce across the world?
Minister reply
We are negotiating better market access in markets such as Taiwan, China and the United States where we have just had our first shipment of British beef this summer. We are also reducing tariffs in important areas such as the dairy sector, for example, on cheese.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
I am pleased that the Government have strengthened the Trade and Agriculture Commission, announced more robust parliamentary scrutiny of trade deals and provided reassurance that products such as hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken will remain banned in the UK. Does my right hon. Friend agree that writing specific unacceptable products such as those, and others such as ractopamine-fed pork, the excessive use of microbials and the use of growth promoters, into specific chapters in trade deals would be a practical way of ensuring that high standards are encouraged globally?
Minister reply
We remain absolutely committed to our high food safety, environmental and animal welfare standards. Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, products such as hormone-treated beef will remain illegal after 1 January.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
As chair of the all-party group on Africa, I wish to emphasise the importance of trade between the UK and Africa. By offering Ghana levels of market access that differ from those of its neighbours in the regional trading bloc ECOWAS—the Economic Community of West African States—the Government are forcing Ghana to choose between new trade barriers within ECOWAS or tariffs with the UK, which would plunge Ghana’s banana and cocoa producers, many of whom are already in poverty, into even more extreme poverty. So instead of bullying countries such as Ghana, will the Minister work with African countries to agree deals that promote trade and fair, sustainable economic development?
Minister reply
We have a deal on the table for Ghana which replicates the EU stepping stone agreement. There is no evidence to suggest that the EU stepping stone agreement in any way discriminates against Ghana’s trade within its ECOWAS partners.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
It is clear from the meeting that I held with the Minister’s colleague, the Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Hampshire, last week that any accusation of foot dragging in dealing with these continuity agreements is clearly not correct. I am working with businesses in my constituency to take advantage of the widening trade opportunities. Does this Minister agree that Members from across the House should be working with businesses to ensure that we maximise the benefits of the trade policies being pursued?
Minister reply
We must make sure our trade policy boosts UK exports and inward investment, doing good work for UK trade, consumers and businesses in constituencies such as his.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Question
While the Department for International Trade attempts to strike trade deals, its counterparts in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are using the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill to expand the powers of the Competition and Markets Authority. There is a growing concern that the Office for the Internal Market could be used to challenge the devolved Administrations by, for instance, American investors with an interest in a trade deal. Can the Minister confirm whether he or the Secretary of State have had any discussions with their foreign counterparts over the role of the expanded CMA and the Office for the Internal Market?
Minister reply
The measures taken are necessary to protect the integrity of the UK’s internal market, which is extremely important for Scottish businesses.
Question
Businesses in my constituency trade heavily with other nations, and obviously they want to get deals that will enable them to continue to do so as easily as possible, but they also know that deals have to be fair to both parties, whether that is two companies or two countries, so does my right hon. Friend agree that we should stand firm for British interests and not just accept any terms that are offered?
Minister reply
Even in the negotiation of continuity agreements, it is important to ensure that we get the best possible deal for British consumers and businesses.
Question
The Minister glossed over a question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) earlier. My hon. Friend made the point that the CRaG procedures were established when the European Union was our main negotiating host and the scrutiny came through that process. Does the Minister accept that public distrust of bad trade agreements and public confidence in trade agreements will be established by parliamentary scrutiny, and will he now re-examine whether these procedures are adequate for a modern trading country such as the United Kingdom?
Minister reply
We have added quite a lot and gone beyond the CRaG process to ensure that Parliament is incredibly well informed. Over the course of this year, we have had many debates and published many documents, impact assessments, economic assessments and now reports on individual trade agreements.
Question
As my right hon. Friend and neighbour knows, I am Scottish born and bred. Will he confirm that we will look to put in place deals that benefit all four nations of the United Kingdom and all regions?
Minister reply
We will always take the time necessary to negotiate the right deals that work for all nations of the UK and for all the regions of England.
Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the work that he and the team at the Department for International Trade have done in signing not only continuity trade agreements but trade agreements around the world that have the potential to benefit the whole economy and, importantly, local businesses in Burnley and Padiham. Can he reassure me that we will continue to work at pace to deliver even more agreements?
Minister reply
We are working very hard indeed on the remaining continuity agreements but let us also recognise how far we have come in the agreements that we have already got.
Margaret Ferrier
Lab
Renfrewshire North
Question
Scrambling at the last minute has been a feature throughout the Brexit process, and the UK Government’s approach to trade agreements is no exception. The Minister’s predecessor used to say that the EU trade deal would be the “easiest in human history”, yet that is now a race against time too. Will the Minister launch a full review of the timeline and negotiating strategy for future trade arrangements, so that they are not blighted by the serial incompetence that we have seen over the last four years?
Minister reply
I think the hon. Lady asked about scrambling at the last minute, but we have done deals with 52 countries that account for £142 billion of bilateral trade. That is a huge amount: 74% of the value of those non-EU countries’ trade before the start of this process. We look forward to further continuity agreements in the coming weeks.
James Sunderland
Con
Workington
Question
I welcome today’s update on continuity trade agreements. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the future looks very promising for global Britain, and that we are much better off together as the Union?
Minister reply
I am delighted with the confidence that my hon. Friend has in the UK’s ability to carry out trade going forward. Under the Secretary of State’s leadership, and thanks to the whole team, all the people involved in the programme and an incredibly large amount of hard work, I am confident that we are in a good place today. I appreciate that that is also coming from my hon. Friend and his constituents.
Shadow Comment
Emily Thornberry
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister criticises the delay in securing trade agreements, leaving £80 billion of UK trade at risk. She questions why only four agreements were signed in 2020 compared to twenty in 2019 and highlights concerns from other governments regarding the lack of progress and inadequate preparation. Thornberry accuses the Government of incompetence and demands answers on new steps being taken, potential failure to secure deals with Mexico, and defending parliamentary scrutiny rules.
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