Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Balance of Trade with Great Britain and the EU

Wednesday 26 January 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Northern Ireland protocol impacts businesses, creating barriers and causing disruption
  • Exports from GB to ROI have fallen by over 20%, costing 3 billion since Brexit
  • UK Government seeks to resolve NI protocol issues sustainably and in agreement with the EU

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joanna Cherry SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question stems from a discussion on trade balances between Northern Ireland and Great Britain/EU post-Brexit. The MP is concerned about the policy impacts.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the implications for policies regarding the balance of trade between Northern Ireland and (a) Great Britain, and (b) the EU?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are committed to boosting trade in Northern Ireland with both the rest of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. The Northern Ireland protocol has impacted businesses, creating barriers and causing disruption. It is our priority to address these issues and make the protocol work better for business.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not directly addressed with a concrete evaluation or assessment.

How: We Are Committed

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Q2 Owen Thompson SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Since Brexit, exports from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland have dropped by over 20%, while Northern Irish exports to the Republic soared. The MP questions if the Secretary acknowledges these benefits.

Question

Exports from GB to ROI have crashed by more than 20% since Brexit, costing £3 billion. Meanwhile, NI exports to ROI soared by 64% in 2021. Does the Secretary recognise the overwhelming benefits of being in a market seven times larger than UK?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We see businesses in NI stopping deliveries to customers, medicines having issues, consumers reduced choice on shelves, garden centres unable to get plants from GB. This is unsustainable and unfair to the people of Northern Ireland.

Not addressed: The specific ask was not addressed; instead, challenges were highlighted.

How: Changing Subject

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Q3 Joanna Cherry SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The Northern Ireland chamber of commerce survey showed that 70% of businesses see opportunities in the dual market access. The MP questions why Scotland did not receive similar benefits.

Question

Does the Secretary agree with NI businesses on opportunities presented by dual access to UK and EU markets? If so, why didn't his government fight for Scotland's same benefits?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We meet businesses in NI regularly. They are clear: protocol is not working, EU offer is inadequate. If it worked as intended, opportunities would exist but current requirements are failing NI.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was partially acknowledged but no concrete reason provided for Scotland's lack of benefits.

How: We Meet Businesses Regularly

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Q4 Peter Bone Con
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP believes the protocol is not working and asks why it should not be scrapped.

Question

The Secretary of State says the NI protocol is not working. Why don't we scrap it?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are determined to resolve issues for Northern Ireland sustainably and in agreement with the EU, focusing on delivering solutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not directly answered; instead, a commitment to resolve was given without specifics on scrapping the protocol.

How: We Are Determined

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Q5 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The MP emphasizes the importance of reducing barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for protecting the UK's unity.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that reducing barriers to trade between NI and GB is not just desirable but vital to protecting UK integrity?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Yes, we need to ensure consumers and businesses in any part of the UK can access products as they would elsewhere. We are determined to deliver this.

Answered
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Q6 Richard Thomson
Economy Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The MP acknowledges the Secretary's remarks on Bloody Sunday anniversary. He questions why the UK government does not realign Great Britain with Northern Ireland in the single market to allow businesses across islands to flourish.

Question

Should the UK Government, considering a possible change in Prime Minister, realign GB with NI in the single market and allow businesses across islands to flourish?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Encourages research. Good news for NI economy moving forward, as is the whole UK economy. The UK is one of the fastest-growing economies in G7, employment up even before covid.

Not addressed: The specific ask was not addressed; instead, a positive outlook on the UK economy overall was provided.

How: Encourages Research

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