Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement

Wednesday 3 February 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The agreement provides Welsh business with exceptional access to the EU market.
  • Welsh ports face issues related to checks and paperwork.
  • The Minister is in touch with Welsh ports to address these issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Crabb Con
Wales Brexit
Context

The EU-UK trade and co-operation agreement has been signed, affecting Welsh businesses.

Question

What assessment he has made of the effect of the EU-UK trade and co-operation agreement on Wales. The agreement provides Welsh business with exceptional access to the EU market for the first time ever under a zero-tariff, zero-quota deal.

Answer from Simon Hart

We have agreed a deal that provides Welsh business with exceptional access to the EU market. It is the first time ever that the EU has agreed a zero-tariff, zero-quota deal.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Stephen Crabb Con
Wales Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Freight levels at Welsh ports are down due to the impact of Brexit-related checks and paperwork.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend work urgently with ministerial colleagues, HMRC and trade bodies to find simpler solutions to the problem of checks and paperwork which risks making the UK land bridge more costly and less attractive for trade between Ireland and the continent? The situation at Welsh ports is serious due to freight levels being down.

Answer from Simon Hart

I am in touch with Pembroke, Fishguard and Holyhead about this issue. We are trying to make a distinction between what we can assign to covid changes in business and the other more permanent factors that he refers to. There are some complications to do with port infrastructure which is the responsibility of the Welsh Government. We have meetings tomorrow to push the Welsh Government to get that process under way more quickly. We have discussions with road hauliers about the land bridge. I assure him that we want this business to return to as near as possible as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific simpler solutions were not provided, only assurance of ongoing work and meetings

How: Working With Partners

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email