Windsor Framework 2023-11-22
2023-11-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from discussions with businesses in Northern Ireland regarding the impact and implementation of the Windsor framework.
What recent discussions have been had with businesses in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the Windsor framework?
Yesterday was the 49th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings that killed 21 people and injured 182—the deadliest act of terrorism in England during the troubles. At this juncture, we should remember those who lost their lives, and in this 25th year of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement it is important to remind ourselves of the progress that has been made since 1998. I recently attended a roundtable with the Northern Ireland Institute of Directors, and I meet regularly with Northern Ireland businesses to discuss a whole range of issues, including the Windsor framework. Officials across the UK Government are also in regular contact with businesses about implementation of the framework.
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Assessment & feedback
Details about discussions with businesses on the Windsor framework's implementation were not directly addressed; instead, historical context and general progress on the agreement was discussed.
Historical Reference
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is based on a previous commitment to businesses in Northern Ireland and seeks specific numbers regarding the UK internal market scheme.
Could he tell the House how many of them are now registered with the UK internal market scheme?
I am happy to confirm that more than 7,000 businesses have now registered with the UK internal market scheme, of which over 3,000 are businesses that did not benefit from the previous schemes. All of those businesses can now move their goods free from any costly issues and tariffs.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question challenges the Secretary's view on the effectiveness of the Windsor framework given ongoing customs declarations, physical searches, and ID checks for businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Does the Secretary of State accept that for as long as there are customs declarations, physical searches and ID checks for businesses moving goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland, even in the green lane, the Prime Minister's view that there is no “sense of border in the Irish sea” will ring hollow?
With the greatest respect to my hon. Friend, I do not accept that. When we agreed to the Windsor framework, we committed to a certain number of EU laws being maintained in Northern Ireland, which has been of economic benefit to Northern Ireland even up to this point and will continue to be in future. Pretty much everybody involved in movements across the Irish sea—the businesses involved, including the new businesses using them—believe that they are simple and very straightforward.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific issue of customs declarations being an ongoing problem not addressed; instead, benefits of the framework were highlighted.
General Benefit Statements
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question seeks to ensure that goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are not subject to unnecessary EU customs processes.
Will the Secretary of State work with us to ensure that, where goods are moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, they are not subject to EU customs processes that are neither necessary nor fair and right?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question, and I very much enjoy working with him on a regular basis to try to achieve the aims he has set out. We have so far gone a long way in this space with the Windsor framework, but I look forward to continued engagement with him in the next few days, because we do need to find a resolution to these issues that also means we can re-form Stormont and deal with the other domestic issues in Northern Ireland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific issue of customs processes not being addressed directly; instead, general progress on the framework was highlighted.
Engagement Promise
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The question follows up on additional support provided to businesses affected by flooding, seeking further aid and cooperation.
Will he work with us to ensure that, whatever additional support is required for the recovery of towns such as Downpatrick, Newry and Portadown is delivered by Northern Ireland Departments working together with the Northern Ireland Office?
I would like to thank the local councils and the Northern Ireland civil service for the work they have done on this so far. The flooding, which I know we will talk about a bit later, was extraordinary and so many people were affected who did not expect to be. Some £15 million has been assigned for that at this point in time, but the right hon. Gentleman is quite right to say that the consequences of the floods will have ramifications for months and years to come.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy