Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 14 January 2021 · 14 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • In under two years, the UK has agreed trade deals covering 63 countries plus the EU, accounting for 885 billion of UK trade.
  • Accession to the CPTPP is a priority for the UK Government, and a formal notification of intent to accede will be made soon.
  • The Government are working to support English language schools and the hospitality businesses that rely on them, addressing concerns raised by Members of Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Mak Con Havant
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is interested in updates on trade deals covering 63 countries plus the EU, accounting for £885 billion of UK trade.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, given that in under two years we have agreed trade deals covering 63 countries plus the EU, accounting for £885 billion of UK trade. This is unprecedented; no other country has ever negotiated so many trade deals simultaneously.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

In under two years, we have agreed trade deals covering 63 countries plus the EU, accounting for £885 billion of UK trade. This is unprecedented; no other country has ever negotiated so many trade deals simultaneously. In 2021, we will add to these deals: negotiations are already under way with the United States, Australia and New Zealand, and our planned accession to the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership will hitch Britain to the fastest-growing markets around the world.

Answered
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Q2 Alan Mak Con Havant
Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks details on the UK's accession to the CPTPP and how exporters from his constituency could benefit.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend update the House on the UK's accession to the CPTPP and explain how exporters from my constituency could expect to benefit, given that accession is a priority for this Government?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Accession to the CPTPP is a priority for this Government and a key part of our trade negotiation programme. We aim to make our formal notification of our intent to accede soon. This agreement will give huge opportunities for British business to export more goods. We already export more goods to the CPTPP countries than to China.

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Q3 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Local firms are facing costly obstacles in VAT issues, making it less attractive for them to import from outside the EU to export within.

Question

The Prime Minister promised barrier-free trade with the EU post Brexit, but local firms that now find costly obstacles in VAT issues are finding the opposite. Could the Government please rectify the situation for firms that import from outside the EU to export to within it?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), is running the Brexit business taskforce to ensure that the additional processes required of businesses are clear and to give businesses the support they need to be able to trade in the new environment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific measures to rectify VAT issues for small British businesses were not provided

How: Looking At This, Working With Partners

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Q4 Caroline Ansell Con
Business & Trade
Context

The English language sector is vital for the local economy, and businesses need support to survive these difficult days.

Question

The English language is arguably one of our top exports of all time, and English language schools are a vital part of the local economy in my destination constituency of Eastbourne. Can my hon. Friend assure my language schools, hospitality businesses and host families that Ministers are working with the sector to ensure its survival in these difficult days?

Answer from Graham Stuart

No one in this House has done more than my hon Friend to champion the English language sector under the pressures of covid. I congratulate her on today's question and on the debate that she led in, I think, July, to which I had the honour of replying. We are determined to champion the interests of the English language sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific plans for survival were not provided

How: Working With Partners

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Q5 Duncan Baker
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP is interested in the impact of trade deals signed post-Brexit and their potential value to the UK economy.

Question

We were told that, as an independent nation, we could not get a free trade deal with the European Union, but we did. We have also signed more than 60 additional trade deals with nations all around the world, and that is undoubtedly a magnificent achievement for the world's fifth largest economy. Can my right hon. Friend tell me how these trade deals impact us?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

The trade deals that we have secured are worth £885 billion of trade. What trade means is jobs. It means opportunities for firms to export abroad. It means strong supply chains for businesses across the United Kingdom. The FTAs that we have secured mean that UK traders will continue to enjoy preferential access to trade that covers 63% of UK trade.

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Q6 Stuart McDonald SNP
Brexit Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the visa and permit tangle that musicians, artists, and performers have been landed in.

Question

Yesterday, the Prime Minister claimed that his trade deal allowed UK musicians and performers to “go play” in EU countries for 90 out of 180 days. What will the Department for International Trade do to fix the tangle of visas and permits that musicians, artists and performers have been landed in?

Answer from Greg Hands

This has attracted some attention. I would remind the hon. Member that he voted for no deal on 30 December. I would also refer him to the article written by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the New Musical Express this week, in which he said that the EU offer on this unfortunately fell short of the UK's proposals and would not have enabled touring by musicians.

How: Attacking The Opposition

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Q7 Mark Fletcher
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP is interested in opportunities coming from new trade deals with Mexico and Canada for businesses across the midlands.

Question

Now that we have delivered on all our Brexit promises, exporters across the Bolsover constituency are keen to take advantage of new opportunities and grow in new markets. So will my hon. Friend tell me what opportunities will come from new and better trade deals with Mexico and Canada for businesses across the midlands?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. He is a great champion of business in his constituency, and I can tell him that the deals with Canada and Mexico give vital certainty to businesses across the midlands, which export goods and services worth about £15 billion, in key sectors such as automotive, manufacturing and food and drink.

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Q8 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The UK-Japan trade agreement includes provisions on data that may complicate the EU's decision on granting the UK a data adequacy agreement, which is crucial for research and business.

Question

Data is the lifeblood of modern economies, but the data provisions in the UK-Japan deal make it less likely that the EU will grant us an adequacy agreement. Can Ministers explain how these contradictions are to be resolved?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I observe that Japan has data adequacy with the EU and it is also part of a comprehensive digital partnership. Therefore, we should be able to have both and benefit from these arrangements.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The contradictions between UK-Japan trade agreement and EU data adequacy were not directly addressed.

How: Observing

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Q9 Tom Hunt
Business & Trade
Context

Felixstowe, with its major port and significant local employment, is seeking a freeport designation as part of the levelling-up agenda.

Question

I want assurances from the Government that they will keep in mind the beneficial impact that being a freeport would have for Felixstowe when considering freeports. It employs 6,000 constituents and there are deprived areas around it. Can I get a commitment?

Answer from Graham Stuart

My hon. Friend is right to advocate for his constituents and the levelling-up agenda. Freeports will attract new investors, drive trade and exports, regenerate communities with high-skilled jobs and infrastructure. We are determined that the benefits of our free trade agenda should be shared across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment to Felixstowe was given.

How: Working Together

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Q10 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Small businesses in Bedford are struggling with new bureaucratic demands since leaving the EU, particularly regarding trade and immigration.

Question

Does the Secretary of State support the Federation of Small Businesses' calls for vouchers worth £3,000 to help small firms cope with changes since leaving the EU?

Answer from Greg Hands

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The Government are in constant dialogue with business representatives such as the Federation of Small Businesses and have provided significant funding to help businesses adapt.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment was made to introduce vouchers worth £3,000.

How: Ongoing Dialogue

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Q11 Julian Sturdy Con
Brexit Democracy & Elections Business & Trade
Context

The Trade Bill is set to return, and there is a debate on whether parliamentary representatives or Government bureaucrats should ratify new trade deals.

Question

Does the Minister agree that elected representatives in this House should have the authority to ratify new trade agreements?

Answer from Greg Hands

Since we left the EU, no bureaucrats will ratify our trade agreements. Future ratifications will occur only after Parliament has scrutinised the detail and any necessary implementing legislation.

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Q12 Alex Cunningham Lab
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The chemicals sector, critical to Teesside's economy, faces challenges due to new trade regulations and the UK's departure from EU REACH.

Question

How will the Government protect our chemicals industry given the potential £1 billion annual cost of not being part of EU REACH?

Answer from Greg Hands

Our chemicals industry is very important and we are aware of issues with all trade partners. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster handles EU relations, but the Brexit business taskforce will hear from the industry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures were promised to protect the chemicals sector.

How: Listening

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Q13 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Business & Trade
Context

Pork producers in Thirsk and Malton face a significant tariff when exporting to the USA, impacting their trade.

Question

What progress have we made in resolving the 25% tariff applied to UK pork exports to the US?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We are working hard to de-escalate this tariff conflict and reach a negotiated settlement. Discussions with the US and EU will continue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific progress or timeline was provided for resolving the pork export issue.

How: Working On It

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Q14 Ben Everitt
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

Milton Keynes received a grant for a 5G pilot scheme, supporting digital and technical innovation.

Question

What plans does the Department have to grow Milton Keynes' digital and tech sector internationally?

Answer from Greg Hands

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. We are aware of the important role Milton Keynes plays in innovation, particularly in electric vehicles and other technologies. The UK is seeking to minimise barriers to digital trade, especially through the UK-Japan deal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans were provided for international growth of tech sector in Milton Keynes.

How: Future Dialogue

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