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EU Withdrawal Agreement
09 December 2020
Lead MP
Michael Gove
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationBrexitForeign AffairsBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 65
At a Glance
Michael Gove raised concerns about eu withdrawal agreement 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government has worked intensively to ensure that the Northern Ireland Protocol will be fully operational on 1 January 2021, aiming to protect unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the UK market, safeguard Northern Ireland’s place in the UK’s customs territory, and maintain smooth trade flows. An agreement was reached ensuring no tariffs for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, protecting internal UK trade, and providing necessary flexibilities for supermarket supplies and medicines.
Michael Gove
Con
Spelwell
The deal protects Northern Ireland businesses’ access to the UK market, safeguards Northern Ireland’s place in the customs territory of the United Kingdom, ensures the flow of chilled meats and medicines, provides flexibility for state aid rules, exempts agricultural subsidies from EU state aid rules, supports fishermen with additional funding, and respects protocol provisions allowing EU officials presence at ports under reciprocal data sharing arrangements.
Rachel Reeves
Lab
Leeds West
Welcomes the statement but expresses concerns about border infrastructure, readiness for transition period, false assurances by Prime Minister last year, and need for a level playing field in trade negotiations. Questions the number of customs agents available and asks if medical or food supplies will be disrupted.
Responds to Rachel Reeves' questions about border infrastructure, trader support service, trusted trader scheme, customs agent capacity, level playing field and workers' rights. Reassures that no additional customs checks will face goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Asks if the agreement makes a free trade deal with the EU more or less likely, ensuring UK sovereignty in its entirety.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Critiques the chaotic state of Brexit negotiations, questioning why Scotland is excluded from beneficial arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Questions whether the Chancellor's statement undermines UK sovereignty and requests an appearance before the European Scrutiny Committee.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Welcomes the political commitment but questions the temporary nature of grace periods for food products from GB to Northern Ireland, expressing concern over business preparation.
Asks for reassurance that businesses in his constituency will not face new bureaucratic obstacles or tariffs when exporting goods and services to Northern Ireland.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Requests assurances that the agreement does not undermine Scotland's position within the Union and seeks similar phasing-in agreements for Scottish businesses.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Questions the necessity of a mini embassy in Northern Ireland, viewing it as inflammatory to communities there.
Asks for commitment that safeguard measures will be introduced if necessary to ensure unfettered access in trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Congratulates the Chancellor on reaching an agreement, questioning whether any part of the withdrawal agreement requires direct application of EU law within the UK.
Arfon
Welcomes the agreement but expresses concern about potential disruption on trade routes between Wales and Northern Ireland due to lack of infrastructure preparation.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Points out that any agreement made is still subject to European Court of Justice jurisdiction under disputes procedure, stressing the importance of maintaining this House's ability to legislate independently from ECJ.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South and Mid Down
Welcomes details given but seeks assurance on continuity of supply for Northern Ireland households post mitigations on export health certificates expire in six months.
Asks the Chancellor to assure that any trade agreement with EU will not compromise UK sovereignty over fishing waters, borders and laws.
Stephen Farry
Alliance
North Down
Acknowledges progress made but raises concerns about unfinished business including transit issues from GB via ROI into NI, access to EU free trade agreements, data adequacy and protection of the service sector on an all-Ireland basis.
Confirms that UK will leave transition period at end of December regardless of whether we reach an agreement with the EU.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
Expresses sadness if negotiations fail and urges Government to make every effort to ensure a deal is reached rather than leaving without one.
Welcomes progress made but seeks reassurance that the rest of UK Internal Market Bill will remain in place to ensure goods can move seamlessly across the UK.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Criticises Government's failure to provide proper support for businesses during pandemic, citing Brexit shambles as a contributing factor.
Reiterates that no one on the Conservative side does not want a deal but stresses it must respect UK integrity and sovereignty.
Owen Thompson
DUP
Strangford
Critiques the Government's stance towards Northern Ireland and Scotland, suggesting it is contradictory. Questions if the Minister is undermining devolved administrations.
Defends the position on Northern Ireland and Scotland, emphasising that Scotland has both devolved administration in Holyrood and representation in Westminster. Also addresses concerns about trade deals with the EU and tariff implications.
John Baron
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Compliments Michael Gove on his role and welcomes an agreement that compromises the EU's previous stance, supports the Prime Minister in not making last-minute deals for trade.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Raises concerns about Cumbrian farm exports to the single market and the impact of tariffs on UK farmers, highlighting risks to family farms in the Lakes and Dales.
Welcomes a principle that exit summary declarations for goods from Northern Ireland to rest of UK will not be required but asks for assurance that all processes within UK territory are carried out by UK authorities.
Barnsley East
Critiques the ongoing negotiations as a never-ending nightmare and questions if the Government is capable of securing settled deals with the EU.
Mark Pawsey
Con
Rugby
Welcomes clarity provided by Gove's statement on trade for UK manufacturers, highlights importance of free trade agreements with the European Union market.
Welcomes changes made in the package and questions if this agreement compromises sovereignty or the Union's integrity.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Expresses concerns about EU officials directing UK officials under article 5 of the protocol, questioning whether we are gaining back sovereignty.
Queries if control over borders and coastal waters should ever be ceded to a foreign power in future deals.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Highlights the risk of tariffs on UK-made vehicles without a deal, questions for guarantees against job losses due to no-deal Brexit.
Eleanor Laing
Con
Welwick
Called for short questions during the debate to allow the Minister to provide concise answers.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Urged the Government to engage more with Northern Ireland communities, including Protestant Unionist loyalists and nationalist supporters of the EU, to demonstrate the benefits of the new protocol approach.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Asked whether the Government shares some blame for Honda's production pause due to component shortages at ports.
Inquired if the removal of clauses from the UK Internal Market Bill was a concession to the EU or an indication that a wider trade deal is imminent.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South
Welcomed the withdrawal of certain clauses in the UK Internal Market Bill but questioned whether an assessment would be carried out on the impact of breaking treaty commitments.
Robert Halfon
Con
Southend West
Asked about steps to ensure that Northern Ireland and Great Britain companies can procure Government contracts if they employ a significant number of apprentices post-Brexit.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Asked whether the Minister was confident there would not be significant disruption due to multiple factors converging at ports before the end of the transition period.
Sought reassurance that trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain would continue seamlessly despite EU interpretation concerns.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Questioned the abolition of expert trade advisory groups, which were set up to advise on customs and continuity in trade.
Complimented the Minister for reaching an amicable agreement with the EU and asked about HMRC's readiness for new IT systems.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Asked where a business owner primarily exporting to the UK would prefer to be located post-Brexit, Northern Ireland or Wales?
Inquired about the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol and its compatibility with UK sovereignty.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Asked for a comment on the Government's commitment to the Peace Plus programme, which has underpinned peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Requested reassurance that the Prime Minister’s team would remember the importance of securing a deal for Cumbrian farmers during negotiations with the EU.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Welcomed the temporary food waiver for trusted traders but expressed concern over uncertainty for small businesses not signed up to the scheme.
Questioned why Scotland would be disadvantaged by the derogation and suggested that independence within the EU might be a better option.
Steve Double
Con
Portsmouth North
Welcomed the pragmatic approach taken in reaching an agreement, respecting sovereignty while protecting the single market, and wished the Prime Minister well at his dinner.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
Asked about the legal and administrative costs to businesses if no data adequacy agreement is reached by end of month.
Welcomed the statement and congratulated Michael Gove on achieving a pragmatic approach to protect Northern Ireland’s place in UK’s customs territory.
Ben Bradshaw
Lab
Exeter
Asked about continued benefits for healthcare and Erasmus programmes post-Brexit if no deal is reached.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Inquired about the additional paperwork burden related to exporting conflict diamonds.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Expressed concern over UK’s foreign policy influence without a long-lasting trade deal with EU.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Agreed that today’s announcement combines principle and pragmatism, an approach that benefits businessmen.
Questioned why no other European country is seeking to leave the EU post-Brexit and highlighted Scotland's desire for EU membership.
Bob Stewart
Con
Beckenham
Asked for assurance that there will be no hard checkpoints on the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland post-Brexit.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Inquired about when the negotiations and debates over Brexit would end, noting ongoing discussions 10 months after 'Brexit Day'.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Asked whether EU authorities supervising checks will pay for their presence or if UK taxpayers will be expected to cover the cost.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked for assurance that there will be no border down the Irish Sea and no impediment placed on Strangford residents buying foodstuffs from other parts of the UK.
Confirmed that EU agencies funding the border checks in Northern Ireland will pay, and assured Jim Shannon that there would be no border down the Irish Sea for Strangford citizens. Emphasised that the deal works independently from any wider EU-UK trade agreement.
Congratulated the Government on changes to the UK Internal Market Bill, noting it as a sign of seasonal goodwill and inquired about the need for an imminent positive outcome regarding the broader EU-UK trade deal.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Expressed satisfaction with the Government's stance on protecting the Good Friday agreement, securing the Union, and upholding the rule of law. Requested assurance that during the grace period, support will be provided to businesses in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Acknowledged the importance of ongoing support for businesses post-agreement and thanked Simon Hoare for rigorous scrutiny throughout the process.
Government Response
Reassures about border infrastructure, trader support service capacity, trusted trader scheme, customs agent capacity and level playing field. Reiterates commitment to upholding high standards of workers' rights. Responds to questions regarding Northern Ireland's unique position, grace periods for food products, life science exports, Scotland's distinct needs, the mini embassy request, and safeguard measures for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Responds to concerns by affirming commitment to Northern Ireland's economic interests, reiterating the importance of leaving transition period on schedule, and emphasising UK's sovereign right to legislate independently from ECJ. Responds to concerns about Northern Ireland and Scotland's best interests being served. Defends the Government’s approach in securing trade deals with better terms than EU membership. Responded to questions regarding Northern Ireland protocol engagement, trade issues, IT readiness in HMRC, and commitments to various communities and programmes. Provided reassurance on ongoing negotiations and systems preparedness. Responded to various questions regarding the pragmatic approach, costs, benefits, and implications of the Northern Ireland trade agreement post-Brexit.
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Assessment & feedback
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