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UK Internal Market: White Paper
16 July 2020
Lead MP
Alok Sharma
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyClimateScotlandBrexitBusiness & TradeWomen & Equalities
Other Contributors: 39
At a Glance
Alok Sharma raised concerns about uk internal market: white paper 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 UK's internal market has been the bedrock of shared prosperity for centuries, with unhindered trade across the country. Since 1973, EU law acted as a cohering force but after Brexit, the Government plans to legislate for an internal market in UK law to continue this economic success and protect workers' rights while respecting devolution settlements. The proposal includes mutual recognition and non-discrimination principles, and will uphold high standards across various sectors such as health and safety, workers’ rights, food, animal welfare, consumer protections, net zero, and the environment.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
Supports the principle of maintaining the UK’s internal market but raises concerns about the process and substance of the White Paper. Criticises the lack of consultation with devolved Administrations, particularly Wales, and highlights risks of a 'race to the bottom' in standards across nations due to legislative proposals that could allow one nation's lower standards to become the minimum standard for all.
Redcar
She commended the proposals in the White Paper for their potential to promote co-operative efforts between Westminster and the devolved Administrations, stressing the importance of joint action in overcoming public health crises and supporting economic recovery.
Ian Blackford
SNP
Ross, Skye and Lochaber
He criticised the Tory Government for their perceived assault on Scottish devolution, suggesting that they misunderstand Scotland's needs. He argued against claims of new powers being bestowed upon Scotland, noting existing legislative precedents in areas like animal welfare, forestry, and energy efficiency. Blackford warned about a potential reduction in standards due to mutual recognition regimes.
Sara Britcliffe
Con
Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
She requested assurance that Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland would indeed see the return of powers as stipulated by these proposals at the conclusion of the transition period.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
She expressed concern about the diminishing role of parliamentary scrutiny in trade deals following Brexit, questioning the lack of provisions within the Trade Bill for such oversight. She proposed instituting a robust dispute resolution process as essential to securing trade flows.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
He highlighted the significant share of Scottish exports directed towards other parts of the UK, underscoring the importance of maintaining an internal market for job and business protection across all nations.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Streeting pressed for guarantees that devolved Administrations would be properly consulted on trade deals, ensuring thorough scrutiny by Parliament and elected representatives.
Andrew Selous
Con
South West Bedfordshire
Selous raised specific concerns regarding the business rates relief promised to companies in his constituency and questioned whether local authorities had implemented these measures correctly.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
The speaker highlighted the financial difficulties faced by about 3 million self-employed or small limited company directors who have received no Government support, urging for immediate assistance. He also mentioned his local authority's need for £2.5 million to secure a waste tip in Tylorstown.
Alok Sharma
Con
Constituency Unknown
The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals and businesses, noting that over £160 billion of support had been provided. He reassured Mr Bryant about self-employed scheme coverage for around 2.6 million people and availability of bounce-back loans.
Mark Menzies
Con
Constituency Unknown
The speaker welcomed the Secretary of State’s statement but urged to ensure small food producers in Lancashire receive equal consideration alongside additional powers given to the Scottish Parliament.
Kenny MacAskill
Your Party
Constituency Unknown
MacAskill questioned the Minister's promises regarding mutual recognition and non-discrimination, citing concerns from the National Farmers Union and other organisations. He urged constituents to be wary of UK’s intentions post-Brexit.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Ghani welcomed the proposals for maintaining economic freedoms, supporting levelling up across the United Kingdom and ensuring job security.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
The speaker expressed concerns over job losses in Coventry’s manufacturing and higher education sectors post-furlough scheme. She requested extension of furlough, green manufacturing investment, and a plan for protecting higher education jobs and funding.
Chris Loder
Con
Constituency Unknown
Loder welcomed the internal market proposal as beneficial to small and microbusinesses in rural constituencies like his own. He praised its potential to reduce costs for these businesses by eliminating regulatory barriers.
John Spellar
Lab
Constituency Unknown
Spellar stressed the importance of Government purchasing rules backing British business and workers, challenging the Government's delay in adopting this practice despite being free from EU rules post-Brexit.
Fay Jones
Con
Constituency Unknown
Jones warmly welcomed the statement for its importance to her constituents' businesses and jobs, urging the Minister to ignore Labour party criticisms and proceed with the Bill.
Alyn Smith
Your Party
Constituency Unknown
Smith criticised the proposed new powers, arguing that they subject all devolved policy areas to a politically appointed panel without jurisprudence or dispute resolution mechanisms, suggesting it was a power grab over competences.
Craig Williams
Con
Constituency Unknown
Williams thanked the Minister for the statement and welcomed the White Paper’s implications for his Welsh constituency. He urged to ignore political points by Labour in Wales and build a single market essential to his constituents.
Pontypridd
Davies-Jones criticised the UK Tory Government's lack of support for Welsh constituencies, highlighting redundancy notices at General Electric in Nantgarw and stating that the White Paper was another assault on Welsh powers.
Ben Everitt
Con
Constituency Unknown
Everitt emphasised the importance of maintaining ancient rights for British people to sell their wares freely across any nation in the United Kingdom, urging protection of the status quo with no borders between nations.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Since I was elected, many constituents have expressed concerns about food standards. The Government's White Paper references past actions but lacks future-focused commitment to maintaining high standards. I urge the Secretary of State to commit to minimum standards that producers can improve on but not fall below.
The need to preserve and create jobs during recovery from covid is paramount. The financial and regulatory barriers must be addressed, ensuring our proposals do not fragment the internal market, harming job recovery efforts across all UK nations.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Many are concerned about lowering standards to allow chlorine-washed chicken imports. I ask the Secretary of State to ensure devolved powers include rights for food labelling, warning consumers about such products.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Uncertainty is detrimental to investment and employment. Businesses have welcomed today's certainty that goods and services from one UK part can continue to be sold in another, ensuring continued job creation across the kingdom.
The unelected body proposed by UK Government will determine if Scottish Parliament bills meet a new test before being considered competent. This would prevent previously successful initiatives like Scotland's smoking ban and minimum alcohol pricing from passing without legal challenges.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Vauxhall in Luton produces best-selling vans, part of £10.5 billion worth of goods imported into Northern Ireland annually. I question the Secretary of State on how commitment to frictionless trade within UK can be meaningful given that protocol introduces new requirements.
While a Unionist and nationalist cannot agree, constructive conversations are possible through proper channels. I urge the Secretary of State to ensure Lord Dunlop’s review is published for transparency.
The internal market has long been a cornerstone of our shared prosperity. We need steps to ensure Peak district hill farmers can sell their world-class lamb across all four UK corners, reinforcing the idea that we are stronger together.
Warrington North
The Government’s intention is to develop a replacement for the EU state aid regime. I request details on when legislation will be brought forward and whether it will involve primary or secondary legislation, emphasising the need for an independent body.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Access to UK by plane, road and rail is crucial for businesses in Runnymede and Weybridge. Seamless internal trade is essential for prosperity across all four nations of the UK, not just focusing on international but domestic market.
The 70 so-called new powers for Scotland are already devolved areas like food safety and environmental standards. It would be undemocratic to hold Scottish Parliament elections where policies could only be enacted subject to provisions of UK trade deals.
Elliot Colburn
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
The self-employed are key drivers of economic growth. I seek assurances that they will continue to thrive post-pandemic, benefiting from schemes like the self-employment income support scheme.
Barnsley South
Discussions with local and regional leaders across England are needed to address concerns about covid-19 support measures. The Government need to formally engage more deeply in these conversations.
Stimulating growth and development across regions is vital for a productive economy. I propose working with others to establish a north midlands manufacturing corridor, offering greater opportunities for businesses.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Welcomes the announcement about internal trade but emphasises the need for consultation with devolved Administrations and warns against any suggestion that this is being imposed, as it could damage the Union.
Welcomes the White Paper and inquires about how the City of London can support jobs across the four nations within the internal market.
Critiques the short consultation period, suggesting it is a power grab retaining vast powers over devolved areas for Tory Ministers.
Claims that the nationalist narrative of a power grab has been disproven and argues that this legislation protects jobs and businesses, presenting it as an economic issue rather than constitutional.
Government Response
EconomyClimateScotlandBrexitBusiness & TradeWomen & Equalities
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged difficulties and provided assurances about existing support measures. He emphasised mutual recognition and non-discrimination to ensure a seamless internal market without barriers for businesses, particularly small ones. The Government have high standards in food safety and animal welfare. The common frameworks programme will ensure these are maintained across UK. We will not compromise our environmental protection, animal welfare or food safety through trade deals. Responds to concerns about consultation period by asserting it is not a power grab but a surge to devolved Administrations and encourages all stakeholders to contribute during the consultation. Affirms that the City of London will benefit from mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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