Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Brexit: Economic Opportunities

Thursday 9 June 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to post-Brexit economic growth by reducing EU regulations.
  • DEFRA in contact with Weatherbys during e-passport development for thoroughbred movements.
  • Elizabeth's company Gracefruit experienced significant decline post-Brexit due to regulatory changes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Bone Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP is asking about the economic benefits that have arisen since the UK left the EU and seeks specific actions to reduce regulatory burdens.

Question

What progress his Department has made on identifying potential economic opportunities arising from the UK having left the EU. In my constituency, Weatherbys has developed an e-passport for thoroughbred movements. If the Government links this passport to the system, would they put pressure on DEFRA to cut red tape and expedite its implementation?

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

The Government is committed to economic growth post-Brexit, including reducing EU regulations such as solvency II and clinical trials directive. For the Weatherbys e-passport, DEFRA has been in contact with them during development; it will consider its merits along with responses from a June 28 consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to expedite implementation of the e-passport and cut red tape was not given

How: Consultation

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Q2 Peter Bone Con
Brexit
Context

The MP continues to ask about concrete economic benefits of leaving the EU, focusing on a specific business case in his constituency involving Weatherbys and their e-passport.

Question

In my constituency, Weatherbys developed an e-passport for thoroughbred movements. If linked with government systems, this would provide a significant Brexit opportunity. Will the Government urge DEFRA to be courageous, cut red tape, and expedite its implementation?

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

DEFRA's equine identification team has been in contact with Weatherbys during passport development; merits of the e-passport will be considered alongside June 28 consultation responses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to expedite implementation and cut red tape was not given

How: Consultation

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Q3 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP references a previous minister's optimistic statement about Brexit benefits and presents a business case where Elizabeth's company Gracefruit has struggled due to red tape and loss of market. The MP seeks clarity on when the promised economic growth will materialize.

Question

In October 2019, the Minister assured businesses of broad opportunities post-Brexit. Elizabeth's company Gracefruit exported chemicals for cosmetics to EU for almost two decades but has struggled due to Brexit's impact, reducing product line and workforce significantly. When can they expect those promised economic uplands?

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

We are in charge of our economy but cannot control EU decisions. The UK is producing a dynamic and open market economy, regardless of any negative impacts from the EU.

Not addressed: The specific timeline for economic uplands was not addressed

How: Metaphorical Response

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Q4 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Brexit
Context

The MP argues that Brexit has been detrimental to businesses such as Elizabeth's company Gracefruit, which saw a 65% drop in business in the first year post-Brexit. The MP seeks an admission from the Government about the negative impacts of Brexit.

Question

Elizabeth's business fell by 65% in the first year after Brexit due to red tape and new regulations, reducing product line significantly and laying off half its workforce. Is it time for this Government to admit that their Brexit experiment is a lose-lose scenario?

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

The hon. Gentleman misunderstands; the red tape he describes is EU red tape, not British. We are freeing people from it and look forward to a dynamic global role for UK economy.

Not addressed: Acknowledge negative impact of Brexit on businesses

How: Blame Eu

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