Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement

Thursday 14 January 2021 · 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

  • Kevin Brennan inquired about the impact of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on global trade, noting that none of the rolled-over free trade deals with non-EU countries since 2019 have met export forecast increases.
  • Kevin Brennan questioned the government about publishing economic impact assessments for the UK's trade agreement with the EU, similar to those provided for other trade deals.
  • Emily Thornberry asked the Secretary of State about the timing of the impact assessment for the UK-EU trade agreement, citing concerns from the Scottish fishing industry over export rules.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Brennan Lab
Brexit Business & Trade
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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 The figures on Japan from the EU are outdated and out of date before the financial crisis in 2008.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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness of Britain's position in global trade with these deals

How: Political Advice, Personal Attacks

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Q2 Kevin Brennan Lab
Business & Trade
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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.

Not addressed: The publication date of economic impact assessment

How: Shifting Responsibility

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Q3 Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury
Business & Trade
Context

The Government publishes economic impact assessments for trade deals but not for the UK-EU agreement. The questioner inquires about this discrepancy.

Question

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?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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.

Not addressed: Explanation for not publishing economic impact assessment

How: Shifting Focus

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