Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transition Period: UK-EU Relations

Thursday 12 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers have regular discussions with representatives of the Scottish Government and other devolved Administrations to prepare for the end of the transition period.
  • The Scottish Government is not kept in the dark about the future of the UK shared prosperity fund.
  • The Cabinet Sub-Committee on preparations for leaving the EU will meet later to discuss relevant details.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Gray SNP
Scotland Brexit
Context

Discussions on the end of transition period are crucial as no agreement has been reached yet.

Question

What recent discussions have had with Scottish Government Ministers on preparations for the end of the transition period in the event of no agreement on the UK's future relations with the EU?

Answer from Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I and other Ministers have regular discussions with representatives of the Scottish Government and also other devolved Administrations to ensure that we can be prepared across the United Kingdom for the challenges we face as we end the transition period and the opportunities that will follow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about discussions or preparations regarding no agreement scenario.

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Q2 Kenny MacAskill
Economy Transport Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government has been excluded from details of the UK shared prosperity fund despite proximity to the end of transition period.

Question

A shared prosperity fund is by its very name inclusive. Why then, given the proximity to the end of transition, are not just Scottish businesses but the Scottish Government excluded from its details?

Answer from Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Scottish Government, unlike the hon. Member, will not be in the dark about the future of the UK shared prosperity fund. He is absolutely right to draw attention to the fact that outside the European Union, we will be able to take back control of the billions that currently we give to the European Union, and we can invest that money in our shared priorities—for example, making sure that his constituents in East Lothian are better connected digitally, by rail and by other means to other parts of the United Kingdom, so they can enjoy the shared prosperity that comes from a strong United Kingdom working for all.

Not addressed: Did not explain why Scottish Government is excluded from details.

How: Discussed Unrelated Benefits

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Q3 Neil Gray SNP
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Brexit
Context

Leaked Cabinet papers revealed that the Government hid Brexit plans from devolved Governments, affecting state aid and food supply availability.

Question

We now know, through leaked Cabinet papers, that this Tory Government hid their Brexit plans from devolved Governments, including on state aid and food supply availability. How does the Minister expect these Governments to prepare when those crucial details are blocked from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland? Does he agree that this level of ignorance and contempt is helping to deliver record levels of support for independence and a consistent majority over the last 12 polls in a row?

Answer from Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I have no secrets from the hon. Gentleman. We take an open-book approach to our preparations for leaving the European Union, which is why, later today, the Cabinet Sub-Committee that deals with the preparations—

Not addressed: Did not address how devolved Governments can prepare without details.

How: Discussed Future Disclosure

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