Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade: UK and EU

Thursday 11 February 2021 · 10 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is working with businesses to address challenges and facilitate smoother trade with the EU.
  • A seafoods export working group meets twice weekly to address specific issues faced by Grimsby fish exporters.
  • HMRC is collaborating with courier companies to ease documentation issues and inconsistencies in customs clearance across EU countries.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Discussion about steps needed for goods to flow freely between the UK and the EU post-Brexit.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Government to help ensure goods can continue to flow freely between the UK and the EU?

Answer from Michael Gove

Our trade and co-operation agreement with the EU is based on zero tariffs and zero quotas, helping to unlock investment and protect high-value jobs in the UK. Goods are flowing freely through ports, but we are working closely with businesses facing challenges and engaging regularly with EU countries to smooth trade.

Answered
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Q2 Lia Nici
Business & Trade
Context

Concerns raised by Grimsby fish exporters about additional paperwork and costs at French ports, hindering free trade despite the EU agreement.

Question

Grimsby fish exporters are facing bureaucratic obstacles such as additional paperwork and costs at French ports. Will these issues be taken up to ensure continued high-quality seafood export?

Answer from Michael Gove

A specific seafoods export working group meets twice weekly, and we are engaging with French authorities to ensure smooth trade of high-quality seafood from Great Grimsby.

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Q3 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Business & Trade
Context

Concerns from Kings Lynn exporters about delays in HMRC transit documentation, customs clearance, and inconsistent demands by courier firms.

Question

Exporters face delays due to HMRC documentation issues, inconsistencies in customs clearance across EU countries, and varying information declarations required by courier firms. Will these issues be addressed?

Answer from Michael Gove

Working with courier companies, HMRC is looking at easements and facilitations, and we are engaging with EU partners to ensure a consistent approach to facilitate seamless trade.

Answered
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Q4 Anthony Mangnall
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Concern about the establishment of sanitary and phytosanitary trade committees under EU-UK trade deal.

Question

When will the SPS and fishing trade committees be set up as required by the EU-UK trade deal? If the EU does not adhere to rules, will we restrict licenses for European vessels?

Answer from Michael Gove

Difficulties and challenges exist but are being overcome. We will reserve our rights to ensure the EU upholds its side of the bargain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline for committee establishment, exact retaliatory measures

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Q5 Laurence Robertson Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A haulier in the constituency has experienced an 11-hour delay for animal-based products at Calais despite meeting SPS requirements.

Question

An exporter faced a 11-hour delay with their vet-checked lorry seal on, despite meeting all requirements. Will this issue be raised and stressed to EU counterparts?

Answer from Michael Gove

Delays are unacceptable; the case will be investigated.

Answered
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Q6 Sheryll Murray Con
Business & Trade
Context

Problems faced by fishing exporters in the constituency exporting to EU, despite signed deal.

Question

What action is being taken to ensure free export of fish products to the EU, and will retaliatory measures be considered?

Answer from Michael Gove

Bureaucratic obstructions are being lifted. As an independent coastal state, we will ensure our fishermen's interests are backed up every step of the way.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions against obstacles, exact retaliatory measures

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Q7 Stewart Hosie SNP
Business & Trade
Context

60% of companies report difficulties importing/exporting to/from the EU, impacting supply chains.

Question

Measures to ease border problems have been put in place but are they working effectively? When will these measures start making a difference?

Answer from Michael Gove

Facilitations and easements have been put in place, some before the transition period. More support is being provided, particularly to SMEs, to take advantage of opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline for effectiveness of measures

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Q8 Stewart Hosie SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A firm in Stewart Hosie's constituency, Wilde Mode Ltd, faces significant increases in delivery costs from Poland due to Brexit. Before Brexit, deliveries cost less than €40 but now are quoted at €2,000 for the same service.

Question

I am struggling to see the advantages and new opportunities. A firm in my constituency, Wilde Mode Ltd, imports rolls of printed fabric from Poland. The delivery costs have increased from under €40 before Brexit to €2,000 now, making it unsustainable. When will measures to ease these problems be put in place fully and actually start to work?

Answer from Michael Gove

I am grateful to raise the case of the firm in Dundee and will look specifically at Wilde Mode Ltd's challenges, including those faced by the Polish supplier and courier company. I aim to ensure any interruptions in supply from Poland to Dundee are addressed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for implementation of measures was not provided

How: Will Look Specifically At

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Q9 Jack Dromey Lab
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A survey by Make UK shows that 61% of manufacturers are experiencing disruptions to their supply chain. The Road Haulage Association reports more than half of its members throughout the UK are swamped by bureaucracy, causing significant problems for businesses.

Question

The Make UK survey reveals 61% of manufacturers suffer from disrupted supply chains; a car company parks hundreds of cars due to these issues; road haulage in Northern Ireland is chaotic. The Road Haulage Association reports over half its members are overwhelmed by red tape. What will the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster do finally to ease such burdens on British companies, which are deeply damaging at this critical time?

Answer from Michael Gove

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that building and buying British is crucial; the procurement Green Paper enables such practices. The Cabinet Office Minister, Lord Agnew, produced this paper. We meet business representatives weekly through the Brexit Business Taskforce to address challenges.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timelines for easing burdens were provided

How: I Could Not Agree More

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Q10 Jack Dromey Lab
Brexit
Context

The Government left companies with only a week between Christmas and New Year to adapt to new rules. The Prime Minister dismissed concerns as 'teething problems'. This has caused significant disruption to British business.

Question

Does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster recognise the scale of challenges facing British businesses? Companies had only a week between Christmas Eve and 1 January to adjust to hundreds of pages of new rules. When concerns were raised, the Prime Minister dismissed them as 'teething problems'. Will the Chancellor apologise for this disruption?

Answer from Michael Gove

I take seriously the concerns raised. We meet business representatives weekly through the Brexit Business Taskforce to address challenges and explore opportunities. I welcome him to his new role in the shadow Cabinet Office team.

Not addressed: The specific ask for an apology was not addressed

How: I Take Seriously, Welcome Him

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