Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-EU Agreement: Scottish Exports

Wednesday 27 January 2021 · 4 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial colleagues and industry leaders are regularly consulted on the impact of the UK-EU trade agreement on Scottish exports.
  • The UK Government is providing practical support and compensation to exporters facing difficulties due to the new border system.
  • The Minister emphasized that Scottish businesses face challenges due to the closure of top-end restaurants both domestically and internationally.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martyn Day SNP
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Discussions about the effects of UK-EU trade and co-operation agreements on Scottish exports are ongoing.

Question

What discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) industry leaders on the effect of the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement on Scottish exports?

Answer from Iain Stewart

We regularly speak to ministerial colleagues and industry leaders on this matter. We are beginning a new chapter in our national story, one of great opportunity. This is an unparalleled chance for us to do things differently and better, increasing businesses' access to new markets and boosting our national prosperity.

Not addressed: Specific discussions with Cabinet colleagues and industry leaders about the impact on Scottish exports were not detailed

How: Opportunity For Growth

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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Scottish exporters face uncertainty regarding the time it will take to resolve issues at the UK-EU border.

Question

Scottish exporters need clarity and certainty on how long it will take the UK Government to resolve the calamitous situation that has been created at the UK-EU border, so my question to the Minister is: has anyone in the Scotland Office worked out how long a piece of string is yet?

Answer from Iain Stewart

We are engaging directly and providing very practical support to exporters who have encountered some short-term difficulties as they adjust to the new system. In the case of the fish and seafood sector, we have provided them with compensation for any losses that they encountered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or resolution time was not given

How: Engaging Directly, Practical Support

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Scottish fishing exporters are facing challenges due to Brexit and require immediate support.

Question

The Minister will be fully aware of the chaos that Scottish fishing exports have been thrown into over the past few weeks because of his Government's broken promises on Brexit to the industry. I understand he has already said that the Department has announced an injection of funding for the hardest hit, but this is about timing and reputation as well, so how is he working with potential buyers of these world-class fishing exports to promote the sector? How is he ensuring that extra support reaches those hardest hit as quickly as possible, given the absolute devastation that these businesses have faced in this year so far?

Answer from Iain Stewart

We are providing very practical support. This is not affecting the whole industry. The industry faces many challenges at the moment, not least the loss of some of its markets because top-end restaurants, at home and abroad, are having to close because of covid. In addition to that short-term compensation, we are providing a £100 million fund to grow and boost the capacity of our seafood sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on working with potential buyers and immediate support were not provided

How: Practical Support, Short-Term Compensation

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Q4 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Scotland Brexit
Context

Scottish businesses are struggling due to Brexit and require a grace period.

Question

The EU is still our closest and most important trading partner, but Scottish businesses are suffering because of this disastrous Brexit we did not vote for, and the inability and unwillingness of the Minister's Government to effectively use the transition period. Will he now push for the grace period that businesses are urgently calling for? If not, why not? What is his answer to them?

Answer from Iain Stewart

We are engaging with all sectors to help them prepare for this transition. I respectfully point out to the hon. Lady that she voted for a no-deal Brexit, and she and her fellow separatists want to impose additional trade barriers within Britain.

Not addressed: Details on pushing for a grace period were not provided

How: Voted For A No-Deal Brexit, Additional Trade Barriers

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