Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ports: New Trading Arrangements

Thursday 11 March 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government continues to provide direct funding to British ports through grants.
  • Ports are generally expected to fund improvements themselves under the "user pays" principle.
  • Portsmouth port was awarded significant grants from the ports infrastructure fund.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Brexit
Context

The question addresses the adequacy of support provided by the government to British ports following the end of the transition period after Brexit. No specific event or statistic is mentioned in the initial question, but it prompts a discussion on the financial and infrastructural assistance given to ports.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of support for ports adapting to new trading arrangements since the end of the transition period.

Answer from Robert Courts

The Government continue to deliver wide-ranging support measures to British ports, including unprecedented levels of direct funding such as grants.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the adequacy of current support were not addressed. Only a general statement on government actions was provided without concrete details or commitments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Transport Brexit Local Government
Context

The question follows concerns about the lack of funding needed to ensure Portsmouth's port can handle post-Brexit customs checks. Specific concern is raised regarding the July deadline and avoiding chaos similar to Dover.

Question

Ministers continue to withhold the vital funds needed for Portsmouth international port to complete the post-Brexit infrastructure mandated by the Government's own border-operating model. With full customs checks coming in July, what steps is the Minister taking to secure the vital funding needed to ensure that our local authority-owned port remains competitive and prosperous, and that the chaos we saw at Dover in December does not become a reality in my city?

Answer from Robert Courts

As a general rule, the “user pays” principle applies, so the Government would expect ports to pay for improvements themselves, but the Government have taken an unprecedented approach through the ports infrastructure fund to support as many ports as possible with grants. Portsmouth was awarded more than £17 million, which is the third-largest amount awarded to any port and is extremely significant funding. The hon. Gentleman's city is, of course, part of the successful Solent freeport bid, which I am sure he welcomes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to secure vital funding were not addressed in detail. Instead, a general statement on funding principles and an example of significant award was given.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email