Trade Agreements Implementation 2025-07-17
2025-07-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A butcher and deli in Chelsea and Fulham imports products from Spain, facing challenges due to Brexit paperwork. The business expects improvements thanks to the Government’s deal with the EU.
One of the businesses that stands to benefit from the EU trade agreement is a butcher and deli in my constituency that imports a lot of its products from Spain. At the moment, its shelves are unfortunately half-empty because its small Spanish supplier—effectively a man with a van—says he simply cannot cope with all the Brexit form filling. However, he has said that he expects things to get better from later this year thanks to the Government’s deal with the EU, which is great news. Will the Minister set out what steps are being taken to implement the removal of the Brexit red tape of sanitary and phytosanitary checks, including the likely timetable?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I express my regret that that business, like so many across the country, finds itself buried in red tape as a consequence of the implementation of Brexit by the Conservative party. There are technical aspects of our agreement with the European Union that need to be worked through, but businesses across the country, such as the butchers and deli he described, will be willing us on in that endeavour.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps and timetable for implementing removal of sanitary and phytosanitary checks were not provided.
Regret
Technical Aspects Need To Be Worked Through
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister announced a deal to protect steel from US tariffs, and the Secretary of State said that the India deal was ‘signed, sealed and delivered’. However, these deals have not been published or implemented yet.
When is a trade deal not a trade deal? It has been nine weeks since the Prime Minister announced a deal to protect steel from US tariffs, and 10 weeks since the Secretary of State said that the India deal was ‘signed, sealed and delivered’. Will the Secretary of State publish the details of these important deals without delay before recess, or will he apologise for misleading the House?
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am struggling to keep up with the Conservative party’s position as to whether deals have been done. As I recollect, 34,000 workers in Jaguar Land Rover know exactly the difference that a Labour Government are making, given the challenge they would have faced with more than 25% tariffs had it not been for the work of the Prime Minister and the Business Secretary. But that is only one sector of the economy. In relation to steel and aluminium, of which the hon. Member spoke, we are continuing to work with the United States to ensure that the agreement to remove 25% tariffs on UK steel and aluminium can be implemented as soon as possible, but we are unique in the level of tariffs set compared with every other country in the world.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timing for publication was not provided.
Struggling To Keep Up
Continuing To Work On
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister has met regularly with Dr Gardner regarding challenges facing the ceramics industry.
May I thank the Secretary of State for meeting regularly with me and my colleagues regarding the challenges facing the ceramics industry? I look forward to continuing to work with him to seek solutions for the challenges we face. What assessment has the Department made of the potential impact of its trade strategy on British businesses, and in particular the ceramics industry?
I saw that the general secretary of the GMB was focused on exactly those issues in relation to the ceramics industry this week, and I applaud the concern he has shown for a key part of many local economies across the country. I assure my hon. Friend that we have given regard to every sector of the UK economy when negotiating the three trade deals secured by the Government—with the United States, as we just discussed, as well as with the European Union and, critically, with India.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific impact assessment was not provided.
Given Regard To Every Sector
Response accuracy
Q4
Evasion / No Answer
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Context
The UK Internal Market Act centralises power and allows the UK Government to override the Scottish Parliament. The Labour Government confirmed they would not repeal or amend this act.
The United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 is a restrictive piece of legislation that centralises power to the UK Government and allows them to override the Scottish Parliament. Yesterday, the Labour Government confirmed they would not repeal or amend that Tory Act. Indeed, the Secretary of State for Scotland previously said that the Act was ‘bad and damaging’ and undermined devolution, and the Business and Trade Secretary voted against it when in opposition. Will the Business and Trade Secretary confirm whether he would vote against it again now? Does he agree with the Secretary of State for Scotland that this Tory Act is an attack on the integrity of the Scottish Parliament?
Well, well, well; the grievance machine is being fired up again by the Scottish National party, even at the last Business and Trade questions. The reality is that the changes made to the United Kingdom Internal Market Act are proportionate, targeted and focused critically on supporting the many Scottish businesses that contributed to the consultation.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation regarding voting against the act was not provided.
Grievance Machine
Response accuracy