Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade with the EU: Non-tariff Barriers

Thursday 25 March 2021 · 8 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 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provides 100% tariff-free and quota-free access to EU markets.
  • Minister acknowledges ongoing difficulties and is working on practical measures to address them.
  • Government is exploring ways to gather real-time information from businesses facing operational challenges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Business & Trade
Context

N/A

Question

What steps the Government are taking to simplify export procedures to the EU for UK manufacturers.

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Our trade and co-operation agreement with the EU provides for 100% tariff-free and quota-free access to each other's markets—the first trade agreement in the world to do so. We are working closely with business, including manufacturing, to minimise any potential disruption.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to simplify export procedures were not detailed.

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Brexit
Context

Mr Graham Leggett's business is facing significant challenges following Brexit, including difficulties arranging exports and increased paperwork and charges.

Question

I wrote to the Minister six weeks ago about my constituent Graham Leggett, who said his worst fears had come true, and shared the concerns of a local freight operator. Mr Leggett imports materials for sale across the UK and EU but finds it near impossible to arrange exports because he does not have a physical operation in the EU. The impact of paperwork and extra charges has been catastrophic for his business, 60% of which is with the EU. His business and others are at risk of going bust.

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Frictionless trade would have required regulatory alignment with the EU, which we were not prepared to pay. However, we do recognise ongoing difficulties and are bringing forward further practical measures to address issues and support business.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific help for Mr Leggett was not detailed.

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Q3 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Bedfordshire chamber of commerce is helping local businesses cope with challenges imposed by the Prime Minister's Brexit deal, including rules of origin, unexpected tariffs, VAT implications and logistical paperwork.

Question

The Bedfordshire chamber of commerce helps businesses in Bedford and Kempston cope with significant operational challenges related to the Prime Minister's Brexit deal. Businesses are in shock trying to overcome these new and complex operational challenges. Will the Minister attend a roundtable with the chamber to hear SME experiences?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I am always happy to meet businesses. We are looking at ways to gather information more swiftly and in real time from businesses facing difficulties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Attending the roundtable was not confirmed.

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Q4 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton faces significant administrative costs due to Brexit, including agent fees, phytosanitary certificates and organic certificates. These barriers are expected to cost £170,000 annually.

Question

Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton is facing significant administrative burdens and associated costs from Brexit, such as agent fees, phytosanitary certificates and organic certificates. Will the Government reduce these administrative burdens or support small businesses disproportionately affected?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

We have provided financial support to compensate sectors suffering particular issues and are looking at ways to mitigate prospective burdens. We are also stretching out compliance timetables.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reduction of administrative burdens was not detailed.

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Q5 Laurence Robertson Con
Transport Business & Trade
Context

A lorry from the questioner's constituency was detained for 12 hours in France, causing issues for exporters.

Question

At the last Cabinet Office questions, I mentioned that a lorry from my constituency was unnecessarily detained in France for 12 hours. Is the Minister making assessments of any other lorries unnecessarily held up?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

We look at and vigorously pursue all cases raised by Members to ensure businesses are supported. Some issues stem from misunderstanding processes, but those issues are being resolved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of other lorries was not detailed.

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Q6 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Wales Brexit
Context

Ministers must be held to account for commitments made during Brexit negotiations, particularly in protecting businesses and livelihoods.

Question

Like many on the Opposition Benches, I believe that Ministers must be held to account for the commitments they made to British businesses and industry during the Brexit negotiations. Can the Minister outline what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government about protecting Newport West businesses?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I have had a very large number of discussions with the Welsh Government and officials on leaving the EU, including in my new role.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions regarding protection were not detailed.

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Q7 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Road Haulage Association estimates that 30,000 customs agents are needed but there is a shortage.

Question

The Road Haulage Association highlights that UK exports to the EU will not recover until summer due to a shortage of customs agents. We need approximately 30,000 customs agents for the whole of the UK and we are well short of this target. What steps are currently being taken to meet this target?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

We have a clearer understanding of what is required after securing an agreement with the EU. Our work involves ensuring businesses, agents and others understand how processes should be implemented.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to meet the target were not detailed.

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Q8 Jack Dromey Lab
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Food and Drink Federation reported a significant decline in UK food and drink exports, with salmon collapsing by 98%, beef down by 91%, and overall export losses reaching £750 million. The British Meat Processors Association highlighted the burden of additional paperwork introduced by Brexit.

Question

I am concerned about the Food and Drink Federation reporting a 75% drop in exports, salmon collapsing by 98%, beef down by 91%, with overall losses reaching £750 million. The British Meat Processors Association stated that extra paperwork will cost members £120 million annually. This situation was not what businesses were promised. What do the Government propose to assist the industry through this crisis which is threatening jobs and livelihoods?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Our management information shows that overall ro-ro freight traffic between the UK and the EU is now back to normal levels for this time of year. That is, in very great part, due to the hard work put in by traders and hauliers to prepare for the end of the transition period and to work through the new things that they are having to do. I would point the hon. Gentleman to the deal that we secured and the framework that we have put in place to agree to trade facilitations going forward, including potential reductions in the frequency of import checks where that is justified. It is in both parties' interests that we do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding measures to support the food and drink export industry was not addressed with concrete commitments or timelines.

How: Pointing To Existing Deals And Frameworks Without Specifying New Actions, Highlighting Normal Freight Traffic Without Addressing Export Losses

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