Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreements: Opportunities for Scotland

Wednesday 8 September 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have struck trade deals with over 68 countries worth 744 billion annually, benefiting Scottish exporters.
  • The Minister agrees that Scotland's industries can use the UK's new trading status to promote their products globally.
  • The removal of the 5% tariff on Scotch whisky in the UK-Australia trade deal is seen as beneficial for Scottish whisky distillers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the recent signing of new free trade agreements by the UK government, raising concerns about their impact specifically for Scotland.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effect of new free trade agreements on trading opportunities for Scotland?

Answer from David Duguid

This Government have already struck trade deals with more than 68 countries as well as the EU worth £744 billion a year. This will create new markets for Scotland's exporters, including our world-leading food and drinks sector. The Department for International Trade team based in Edinburgh is also helping Scottish businesses thrive and grow internationally.

Answered
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Q2 Scott Benton
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

With recent trade agreements, there is optimism about how these can benefit specific sectors in Scotland.

Question

Scotland's businesses will be among the main beneficiaries of the trade deals we have already secured around the world. Does my hon. Friend agree that we will now be able to use our new status as an independent trading nation to promote the very best that Scottish industries have to offer to the world?

Answer from David Duguid

I completely agree with my hon. Friend: he is absolutely right. This Government are working hard to strike new trade deals around the world that will benefit key business sectors and consumers across Scotland and across the whole of the UK.

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Q3 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Concerns about whether the advantage to Scottish industries in negotiating trade deals is greater when done collectively with the rest of the UK.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that the advantage to Scotland of negotiating together with the United Kingdom for free trade deals makes the case for the United Kingdom to be together as one country?

Answer from David Duguid

On that final point, I could not agree more. It is hugely welcome to see the removal of the 5% tariff on Scotch whisky in the agreement in principle between the UK and Australia. That will help Scottish whisky distillers to continue to expand exports to Australia.

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Q4 Alan Brown SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Concerns about the economic impact on specific sectors like seafood, hospitality, and food and drink caused by Brexit and labour shortages.

Question

What are the current losses to the seafood industry because of Brexit? What compensation has it received from the UK Government? What are the total losses to the hospitality industry due to lack of EU labour access? What are the total losses to the Scottish Food and Drink Federation due to HGV driver shortages?

Answer from David Duguid

I did not quite catch all of that, but I did catch the words “fishing” and “HGV drivers”. On fishing, I would not be surprised if I talk to many more people in the fishing industry than the hon. Gentleman does, and I will take my advice on the situation in the fishing industry from them.

Not addressed: He did not provide detailed statistics or compensation figures for losses as requested.

How: Did Not Catch All Of That, Took Advice From Fishermen Instead

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