Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Business Exports: Administrative Burden

Thursday 19 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

  • Ministerial discussions focus on reducing administrative burdens for businesses aiming to export.
  • Businesses exporting to the EU face a lengthy process to obtain an economic operator registration and identification number.
  • The government provides customs easements up to July 2021 to minimize challenges during the transition period.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martyn Day SNP
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the challenges faced by UK businesses seeking to export, specifically those starting to export and those looking to increase their exports.

Question

What discussions she has had with business representatives and Cabinet colleagues on reducing the administrative burden on businesses seeking to export for the first time or increase their volume of exports?

Answer from Graham Stuart

I talk regularly with businesses, business representatives, and ministerial colleagues about how we can make exporting easier for businesses across the country. That is why I was delighted to announce our new Scottish trade hub in September, which is staffed by expert trade advisers and dedicated to helping Scottish firms to grow internationally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about specific discussions with business representatives and Cabinet colleagues on reducing the administrative burden for exporting. The Minister did not provide details of these discussions but instead highlighted a new trade hub initiative.

How: Changing Subject To Recent Initiatives

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Q2 Douglas Chapman SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the difficulties faced by small businesses, especially those not VAT-registered, in acquiring an economic operator registration and identification number required for exporting to the EU.

Question

Around 250,000 businesses export to the EU but not elsewhere. Many of them are small and not VAT-registered, making it hard to reach them. To continue trading post-Brexit, they need to go through a lengthy process to get an economic operator registration and identification number. As the party committed to reducing red tape, what action is being taken by the Government to reduce this burden for SMEs exporting to Europe?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We are working to engage with businesses, and I recommend that all businesses go to gov.uk/transition for practical steps. However, Scottish businesses are more concerned about Scottish independence than business support, which would shrink Scottish business opportunities.

Not addressed: The MP asked about specific actions taken by the government to reduce administrative burdens on SMEs exporting to Europe. The Minister changed the subject to concerns over Scottish independence.

How: Changing Subject To Political Concerns

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Q3 Martyn Day SNP
Scotland Brexit
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on UK hauliers and traders, as highlighted by Rod McKenzie from the Road Haulage Association.

Question

Rod McKenzie from the Road Haulage Association warned that under a no-deal scenario, lorry drivers would have to rely on European Conference of Ministers of Transport permits. Only 4,000 permits are available but more than 40,000 are needed, potentially stopping up to 90% of companies trading with Europe. What assurances can the Minister give today that traders and hauliers will experience minimal disruption?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We have been working to engage with businesses, provide easements on customs up to July 2021, and minimise challenges as we end the transition period. However, Scottish businesses are more concerned about the impact of Scottish independence on trade within the UK.

Not addressed: The MP asked for assurances regarding minimal disruption in a no-deal Brexit scenario. The Minister changed the subject to concerns over Scottish independence and its impact on intra-UK trade.

How: Changing Subject To Political Concerns

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