Trade with European Countries 2023-02-09
2023-02-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP noted a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce indicating more than half of firms are struggling with the new post-Brexit export system. The Office for National Statistics reports that Brexit costs the UK economy £1 million per hour and that the UK economy has not recovered as well as other countries post-COVID.
More than half of firms surveyed by the British Chambers of Commerce are struggling with the new post-Brexit export system. The Office for National Statistics reports that Brexit costs the economy £1 million per hour, and the UK economy has not recovered as well as other countries post-covid. What plans does the Minister have to reduce trade barriers and EU border bureaucracy, which have hugely increased since Brexit?
As I said earlier, I hope that we can look at the opportunities of leaving the EU as well as trying to fight past battles. There are a host of opportunities; for example, I do not think that the EU had a particularly proud record on services around the globe. We are opening up services for many companies, which under the EU we were to a very large degree constrained in doing. We have huge resources for supporting businesses. Trade with the EU has been growing considerably, and we will do everything we can to support further growth.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans to reduce trade barriers and EU border bureaucracy were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questioned the impact of barriers on EU trade, suggesting they have had a greater effect on UK-EU trade compared to the opposite.
These barriers have had a greater impact on EU trade than on the UK. When does the Minister anticipate the EU will wake up to what is in our mutual interest?
My right hon. Friend makes a perfectly good point. Our agreement with the EU is one of the most thorough and comprehensive trade agreements, but we need to work further. We are constantly looking at opportunities—country by country, industry subsector by subsector—to open up more trade by reducing the barriers. These are barriers that also existed when we were in the EU.
▸
Assessment & feedback
A specific timeline for EU recognition of mutual interests was not given
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP highlighted a trend where UK exports to Germany are down by more than 10% compared to other countries, raising concerns about the poor deal negotiated with the EU.
Over the past three years, according to the latest German trade figures, exports to Germany are up by almost a third from the US, by almost a quarter from the rest of the EU and by more than 10% from China, yet exports from Britain to Germany are down. Everybody else's exports are up; Britain's are down. Is it a lack of support to our exporters to Germany, is it the poor deal that the Conservative party negotiated with the EU, or does the Minister blame British business for the situation, as one of last year's Prime Ministers once did?
Again, all I have to say is that I have much greater confidence in British industries taking advantage of opportunities, not only in the EU but around the world. I wish others in this Chamber shared that optimism and confidence in British business.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The decline in UK exports to Germany was not addressed directly
Changing Subject
Criticising Question
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questioned the government's response to firms struggling with new export systems since Brexit, referencing economic costs and comparative recovery rates.
More than half of firms surveyed by the British Chambers of Commerce are struggling with the new post-Brexit export system. The Office for National Statistics reports that Brexit costs the economy £1 million per hour, and the UK economy has not recovered as well as other countries post-covid. What plans does the Minister have to reduce trade barriers and EU border bureaucracy, which have hugely increased since Brexit?
As I said earlier, I hope that we can look at the opportunities of leaving the EU as well as trying to fight past battles. There are a host of opportunities; for example, I do not think that the EU had a particularly proud record on services around the globe. We are opening up services for many companies, which under the EU we were to a very large degree constrained in doing. We have huge resources for supporting businesses. Trade with the EU has been growing considerably, and we will do everything we can to support further growth.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans addressing post-Brexit export challenges were not provided
Response accuracy