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Exiting the European Union
09 January 2020
Lead MP
Andy Carter
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyClimateBrexitAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 55
At a Glance
Andy Carter raised concerns about exiting the european union 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
Asked about Government plans to commemorate and celebrate the UK leaving the EU on 31 January 2020.
Kate Griffiths
Con
Q11
Proposed that local breweries in Burton-on-Trent should brew a celebratory Brexit beer to mark the occasion.
Mark Logan
Con
Q17
Suggested commemorating the day of constitutional importance annually as an anniversary.
Q18
Emphasised that 31 January is significant for Eurosceptics across Europe and advocated for public celebrations to signal life outside the EU.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Asked if the Government’s plans include abolishing the Department for Exiting the European Union after exit day, questioning which Minister will take responsibility for negotiations.
Barry Sheerman
Independent Labour Group
Haringey and Wood Green
Noted concerns raised by the President of the European Commission regarding free movement of labour impacting trade agreements post-Brexit.
Patrick Grady
Lab
Garscadden and Sighthill
Asked if Big Ben will chime to mark 11 pm on January 31, expressing concern that it may not be a moment of celebration for many.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Urged the Government to adopt a careful tone and inquired about measures for non-UK EU nationals who feel vulnerable post-Brexit.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Suggested flying Union flags from public buildings as a tribute to the decision made by British people to leave the European Union.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Asked how Brexit can be depicted without appearing insular or nationalistic, suggesting signing up for refugee resettlement schemes as a way to counter this perception.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Since October, the withdrawal agreement Bill has undergone major changes, including the stripping out of previous commitments to workers’ rights. Will the Secretary of State publish a revised impact assessment so that he can be honest with the public about what his Government have in store for them with their hard Brexit plan?
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
So far, the Prime Minister has taken workplace rights out of the withdrawal agreement in October and the withdrawal agreement Bill in December. What confidence can we have that workplace rights will be protected under this Government?
Does the Secretary of State agree that, contrary to what the hon. Member for Bedford (Mohammad Yasin) said, we need dynamic alignment like a hole in the head? The purpose of Brexit is to enable us to make our own laws and rules, set our own taxes and chart our own course.
I thank the Secretary of State for his answer on dynamic alignment. As his Department winds up, I thank him personally for leading it with such professionalism, and I thank his team at DExEU. On dynamic alignment, I ask my right hon. Friend to reflect on the fact that the Brexit vote was about this House being sovereign.
Torfaen
Will the Secretary of State give an absolute guarantee that post Brexit, under a Conservative Government, there will never be a point at which workers in the EU27 enjoy stronger employment rights than they do here? A Government genuinely committed to workers’ rights would have given a straight yes to that question, but the Secretary of State did not.
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on maintaining environmental standards after the UK leaves the EU. It is vital that we not only maintain but enhance our environmental protections, and that we enhance our natural environment.
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on maintaining environmental standards after the UK leaves the EU. The United Kingdom has some of the highest food standards, so will my right hon. Friend confirm that Her Majesty’s Government will not allow substandard agricultural or food imports after the UK leaves the EU.
The Secretary of State will know that the EU’s groundbreaking European green deal includes many policies with which UK alignment will be straightforward. Others will be more challenging. For example, the circular economy action plan will seek to change business models and set minimum standards for producers.
Whether the UK will be required to comply with (a) EU law and (b) rulings of the European Court of Justice after the UK leaves the EU.
Lia Nici
Con
Great Grimsby
Emphasised that her constituency and coastal areas voted to take back control of fishing laws post-Brexit, stressing its importance.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Asked about the ECJ's role in determining issues arising under the withdrawal agreement, concerned about disputes resolution mechanism.
Chris Clarkson
Lab
Preston North
Acknowledged that his constituents voted for Brexit to take back control of laws and be free from Brussels’ influence.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Asked about discussions on the effect of UK leaving EU on NHS, highlighted concerns over continued flow of medicines post-Brexit.
Central Ayrshire
Critiqued anti-immigrant rhetoric, pointed out a decline in EU nurses and questioned the Prime Minister's commitment to NHS funding promises.
Bassetlaw
Asked about additional funding for NHS post-Brexit, welcomed new funding assurances.
Philip Dunne
Constitutional Democratic Unionist Party
Wells
Inquired about discussions on EU spouse fees and raised concerns over application costs preventing long-term residents from applying for citizenship.
Expressed moral objection to high fees charged to EU citizens who wish to remain in the UK post-Brexit.
Philip Hollobone
Con
Kettering
Asked about comparability of EU27 settlement schemes with those of the UK, highlighted importance of mutual agreements on fees and charges.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Inquired about intentions to equalise immigration fees for European and Commonwealth partners to ensure fairness.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Sought assurance on no charge for EU citizens applying for settled status in the UK post-Brexit.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Asked about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on protecting rights of EU citizens and expressed concerns over future Windrush-like situations.
The fact that 3.5 million EU citizens see the best future for themselves and their families as to remain living and working in post-Brexit Britain is a huge endorsement of our post-Brexit prospects, according to him.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
He urged Members on both sides of the House to support Third Reading of the withdrawal agreement Bill because it safeguards the rights of EU citizens and UK citizens in Europe. He also discussed ongoing conversations with ministerial colleagues on exiting the European Union, including agricultural policy.
She questioned how the Secretary of State believed that refusing to provide paper proof of status, rejecting Labour’s proposal for automatic status, and granting pre-settled status to people who have been here legally felt valued and welcome.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
He inquired about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on potential opportunities for farmers and the agricultural sector after Brexit, as well as assurance that future free trade agreements would only allow tariff-free imports from producers observing high standards.
Mel Stride
Con
Central Devon
He congratulated Steve Barclay on his service and urged him to liaise closely with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure an excellent deal for hill farmers.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
She expressed concerns about the lack of trust from farmers regarding government assurances and requested specific measures to ensure no lowering of standards in future trade deals.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
He sought assurance that his departmental and Cabinet colleagues were aware of the importance of the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland and would minimise threats while maximising opportunities as they left the EU.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
He highlighted the importance of the food and drink sector to Scotland's economy, particularly in relation to Scottish whisky and salmon.
He emphasised that a no-deal crash-out would be disastrous for both sectors and stressed the need for statutory roles for the Scottish Government in future relationships with the EU and trade deals negotiated by the UK.
He asked whether the Government would introduce any changes to the seasonal agricultural workers scheme after the UK leaves the EU, given the importance of such workers for farmers in his constituency.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
He expressed concerns about Welsh hill farmers being among the most exposed if there was a no-deal Brexit at the end of the year, urging the Secretary of State to ensure that any deal signed off on would guarantee tariff-free access for lamb into the European Union.
Karl McCartney
Q14
Asked about recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on fishing and marine policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Welcomed Karl McCartney back to his place and confirmed ongoing discussions with ministerial colleagues on all aspects of exiting the European Union, including fisheries and marine policy. Emphasised a 100% confidence in leaving the common fisheries policy and gaining full control over fishing areas and quotas.
Asked about the Secretary of State's agreement on close working between UK authorities and their continental equivalents, suggesting that discussions between tax authorities in the UK and France on customs processes should start.
Keir Starmer
Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Thanked Steve Barclay for his kind words but expressed disappointment over the Government's decision regarding unaccompanied child refugees. Urged reconsideration of this issue, highlighting moral concerns.
Sally-Ann Hart
Lab
Hastings and Rye
Asked about specific attention to under-10 metre fishing boats in post-Brexit Britain, emphasising their importance for sustainable fishing practices.
Commended Sally-Ann Hart on her election and confirmed special attention would be given to the 10-metre fleet under a domestic fisheries policy that promotes traditional practices for stock protection.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Asked about discussions regarding impacts of Brexit, specifically a hard no-deal scenario, on the movement of UK performing arts between here and Europe.
Bury South
Congratulated Steve Barclay on ensuring that this Government will deliver on the verdict and the will of the British people to leave the EU on 31 January. Noted with the closure of DExEU, there would be a celebration of the hard work done by officials.
Southgate and Wood Green
Asked whether EU citizens who work in the UK post-Brexit will be liable for the immigration health surcharge, and if similar charges will be introduced for UK citizens living in the EU.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Guaranteed to all EU citizens in the UK that their rights are protected under the withdrawal agreement Bill, including healthcare rights. Called on the Labour MP to support the Bill at Third Reading.
Asked if the UK will remain an open place for EU citizens to study and whether Britain continues leading in higher education quality.
Confirmed that the Government aims to attract students from the EU and globally, citing traditions of attracting talented individuals. Mentioned support for civil servants during oral questions.
Asked for assurance that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will continue as is post-Brexit, allowing Airbus to plan ahead without regulatory divergence.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
Sought steps from HM Government to ensure a fair price for farmers by redressing the imbalance in food supply chain prices following Brexit.
Government Response
Responded positively to proposals for commemorating the event in various ways, including celebratory beers and flying Union flags. Addressed concerns about small businesses and non-UK EU nationals, highlighting measures taken such as a £9 million fund to support outreach groups and charities. The hon. Lady says that as if she supported the Bill in October, but she did not. She did not support it when those things were in the clause, and now she is lamenting that they are out of the clause that she did not support... The Government have been clear that we will not weaken our current environmental protections as we leave the European Union, and that we will maintain, and even enhance, our already high environmental standards. Responded to multiple MPs addressing issues ranging from fishing laws, ECJ role post-Brexit, NHS funding, immigration fees, and EU citizens' rights. Stressed the importance of arbitration panels over the ECJ, confirmed free settlement scheme applications for EU residents, and highlighted NHS's multi-year funding settlement. Government minister's speech includes addressing concerns regarding EU citizens' rights and future trade agreements, ensuring that farmers would not lose any rights when they get pre-settled status. He also discussed ongoing conversations with ministerial colleagues on exiting the European Union. Discussed ongoing conversations about fisheries and marine policy post-Brexit. Emphasised confidence in leaving common fisheries policy and gaining full control over UK waters. Also addressed the Government's position on unaccompanied child refugees, highlighting a commitment to supporting refugees as per manifesto promises. Emphasised commitment to protecting EU citizens' rights and attracting students from the EU. Also highlighted opportunities for agriculture post-Brexit, aiming to free farmers from bureaucratic constraints through the Agriculture Bill.
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