Withdrawal from the EU Economic Impact 2023-05-09
2023-05-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about recent assessments by the Department on the economic consequences of UK's withdrawal from the EU.
What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK's withdrawal from the EU on the economy?
The UK has grown faster than France and at a similar rate to Germany since leaving the single market. It remains challenging to separate the effects of Brexit and wider global trends on the UK economy, such as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, adding pressures to trade, prices and the wider economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific recent assessment or statistics about economic impacts.
Hedging Language
Reference To Global Trends
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discusses recent negative impacts of Brexit on the UK's technology sector, including a chip company opting to float stock only in the US.
How grateful does the Minister feel that the Leader of the Opposition has dropped his and his party's principles and are supporting this costly Brexit?
Crikey, I am going to leave it to the Leader of the Opposition to flip-flop his way through that particular policy. What I can tell the hon. Lady is that we are the best place in Europe to invest in tech. We are only the third economy in the world with a $1 trillion tech sector; we are ranked as the world's fourth most innovative economy; and we have created more unicorns than France and Germany combined.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not express gratitude, instead provided economic statistics to deflect from the question.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticizes the Government's stance on Brexit, citing negative impacts on music venues, European band travel, and staff shortages in hospitality.
Is Lord Heseltine not right when he says that Brexit has been a classic mistake and the elephant in the room of our present economic difficulties?
I am interested that the hon. Gentleman dismisses these incredibly successful unicorn start-ups in the UK economy. I hope that he will not dismiss their continuing success as we continue to support them through the various tax reliefs we are offering them and investment, including our most recent research and development tax reliefs. I would also point out to him that of course Scotland will benefit from some 73 trade deals secured with non-EU countries—benefits that include control of our fishing waters, something that I know is a matter of great concern to Scottish residents.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm Lord Heseltine's statement, instead provided economic statistics about success in the tech sector and benefits from trade deals.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about the status and timeline for implementing a sunset clause to remove laws built up during UK's time in the EU.
Can the Minister confirm whether, after marching their troops up to the top of the hill and getting the Back Benchers very excited, the Government are keeping the sunset clause to have all this done by the end of the year?
I do not know whether I can speak on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, who is the portfolio holder for that piece of legislation. What I do know is that the Bill is currently before the House of Lords, and will no doubt be scrutinised very carefully by their lordships. I can also reassure the House that we are taking a careful and considered approach to the benefits—the regulations, the laws—that Brexit presents to us, and we know from our discussions with businesses that business certainty is something that we all want to strive for and achieve.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm sunset clause commitment, instead provided general reassurance about approach.
Hedging Language
Reference To Future Scrutiny
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discusses high inflation and criticizes the Government for imposing a new system for checks on EU goods estimated to add £400 million annually.
Can the Minister tell us why the Government are picking this of all moments to add these new costs and price rises to UK consumers who are already struggling?
Just to clarify, I was being respectful of not just this House, but the right of the other House to scrutinise legislation. I hope the right hon. Member would agree with that, as the fine parliamentarian that I know he is. On business certainty, through this legislation, and also importantly through the measures we are setting out through the Windsor framework and the arrangements at borders, we are seeking to give businesses exactly the certainty they need after Brexit.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reasons for new checks, instead provided reassurance about business certainty.
Changing Subject
Hedging Language
Response accuracy