Northern Ireland Protocol 2022-11-09
2022-11-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Northern Ireland protocol has created issues in trade and governance, prompting the need for dialogue to find solutions.
What steps he is taking to help improve the Northern Ireland protocol. The trader support service has helped thousands of businesses in Northern Ireland navigate goods movement under the protocol. How will this important service be funded over the next year?
Both the trader support service and the movement assistance scheme provide support to traders moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. By the end of this year we will have spent £340 million helping traders to process 2.3 million customs declarations through the trader support service for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but we very much hope that we can find a negotiated solution to the protocol issues that will mean we do not have to spend this money in the future.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The funding commitment for the coming year was not directly addressed; instead, there is hope for a negotiated solution.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Northern Ireland protocol has created issues in trade and governance, prompting the need for dialogue to find solutions.
How will this important service be funded over the next year?
Both the trader support service and the movement assistance scheme provide support to traders moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. By the end of this year we will have spent £340 million helping traders to process 2.3 million customs declarations through the trader support service for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but we very much hope that we can find a negotiated solution to the protocol issues that will mean we do not have to spend this money in the future.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific funding commitment for the coming year was avoided; instead, there is an indication of hoping for a negotiated solution.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Northern Ireland protocol has caused political and legal issues, including the imposition of EU law in part of the UK.
Does the Minister accept that we cannot improve on that and we have to remove it?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. Actually, I think there is a negotiated path where we can completely change how we deal with the protocol, which would mean that it dealt with the issues of governance and trade and all the other practical issues that are causing legitimate concerns to the communities he represents.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not explicitly accept or reject removing the protocol; instead, suggested a negotiated path for change.
Response accuracy