UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement 2021-01-14
2021-01-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement has been a subject of debate regarding its impact on global trade. The question focuses on the effectiveness of this agreement compared to previous forecasts.
I am interested in understanding the effect of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on our position in global trade, especially given that none of the 30-plus free trade deals rolled over with non-EU countries since 2019 has delivered any increase in exports compared to forecasts. The Japan deal is a case in point, with an increase of only £2.6 billion instead of £4.3 billion as previously forecasted.
I am interested to hear the hon. Gentleman's political advice there. He did not vote for a deal with the EU, even though he previously said that no deal was unacceptable. The figures on Japan from the EU are outdated and out of date before the financial crisis in 2008. The Japan deal goes further and faster in areas such as data and digital, the creative industries, and food and drink where the UK has a comparative advantage.
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Assessment & feedback
The effectiveness of Britain's position in global trade with these deals
Political Advice
Personal Attacks
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government has been publishing economic impact assessments for trade agreements with non-EU countries. However, no such assessment exists for the UK's agreement with the European Union.
Every new trade deal since 2019 includes an economic impact assessment. The Japan deal was assessed in over 100 pages regarding its impact on exports, jobs, business and growth. When will the Government publish similar assessments for the UK's trade agreement with the EU?
The right hon. Lady will be well aware that the Department for International Trade is not responsible for negotiating the agreement with the European Union. That responsibility lies with Taskforce Europe, which has provided full data to this House. The House voted for the deal including the support of the right hon. Lady.
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Assessment & feedback
The publication date of economic impact assessment
Shifting Responsibility
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government publishes economic impact assessments for trade deals but not for the UK-EU agreement. The questioner inquires about this discrepancy.
Since the Secretary of State was in the Cabinet, might she know when the impact assessment will be published? Businesses and especially the Scottish fishing industry are suffering due to new rules impacting exports. Can the Secretary explain why full economic impact assessments have been published for Moldova and North Macedonia but not for the EU agreement?
The trade agreement with the European Union has already happened, with full data provided by Taskforce Europe. The House voted and supported it. We have also covered 63 countries with new trade deals and aspire to strike deals with the US, New Zealand, and Australia.
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Assessment & feedback
Explanation for not publishing economic impact assessment
Shifting Focus
Response accuracy