Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol

Wednesday 21 July 2021 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State meets Cabinet colleagues regularly to discuss the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol and address practical issues.
  • The UK Government agrees to engage in good faith with the EU to find common-sense solutions addressing the higher costs and disruption faced since January.
  • Steps are being taken to protect the economic integrity of Northern Ireland by ensuring goods within the UK internal market do not face unnecessary EU-imposed checks.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The Northern Ireland protocol is causing delays in trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, leading to concerns about the practical implementation.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on reducing delays to trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain during the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. I am concerned that despite warnings, six supermarket retailers have highlighted import issues, higher costs, and fewer options for consumers, affecting three quarters of the grocery market in Northern Ireland.

Answer from Robin Walker

The Secretary of State meets colleagues regularly to discuss matters related to Northern Ireland, including the implementation of the protocol. We are working hard and in good faith to find solutions, addressing practical issues faced since January.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with Cabinet colleagues on reducing trade delays were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Tom Randall
Northern Ireland
Context

The protocol's implementation is causing issues, and there are calls for a more practical approach to resolve the problems faced by Northern Ireland.

Question

We must make the protocol work for the people of Northern Ireland. Does my hon. Friend agree that we should press the European Union to take a more common-sense approach so that we can find practical solutions to issues such as higher costs and fewer consumer options?

Answer from Robin Walker

I agree with my hon. Friend. The protocol must respect the needs of all Northern Ireland's people, but we have seen costs rise and disruption increase since January this year. We want to engage in good faith with the EU on these issues.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Retailers have written to the UK Government highlighting import issues, higher costs, and fewer options for consumers due to the protocol. There is pressure on the government to address these concerns.

Question

Instead of blaming the EU, what will the UK Government do to resolve trade issues highlighted by six retailers covering three quarters of Northern Ireland's grocery market?

Answer from Robin Walker

The UK Government has implemented several measures such as the movement assistance scheme, Trader Support Service with over £200 million funding, and digital assistance schemes. We are engaging in good faith to improve the protocol's implementation and ensure it meets its intended objectives without disrupting everyday life.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The protocol's implementation is affecting goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, raising concerns about the economic integrity of the UK.

Question

Does the Minister agree that goods within the UK internal market should not face EU-imposed checks? What steps will he take to protect the economic integrity?

Answer from Robin Walker

Goods within the UK internal market should not face unnecessary EU-imposed checks. We want to engage in good faith to find solutions, ensuring that goods not at risk of entering the EU are not subjected to additional disruption.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and timeline were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

The protocol's implementation is affecting Northern Ireland's constitutional integrity, raising concerns about the principle of consent central to the Belfast agreement.

Question

Does he agree that any new arrangements must respect the principle of consent at the heart of the Belfast agreement and protect Northern Ireland's place within the UK?

Answer from Robin Walker

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. The principle of consent is central to the Belfast agreement. We are working hard in good faith to find solutions and set out further detail on our approach later today.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific new arrangements were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email