Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade in the UK

Wednesday 8 February 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have committed to ensuring unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the rest of the UK market.
  • The Supreme Court continues to be the final court of appeal for Northern Ireland.
  • The Government are working to negotiate a position where there are no barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from concerns about trade barriers and support for Northern Ireland businesses trading with the rest of the UK post-Brexit.

Question

What steps is the Government taking to help businesses in Northern Ireland trade with the rest of the UK? I am concerned about the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on these businesses and seek details on any financial support provided.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government have committed to ensuring unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the rest of the UK market. Since the advent of the Northern Ireland protocol, by the end of last year, we will have spent £340 million helping traders process 2.3 million customs declarations through the trader support service for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or concrete action to remove barriers beyond providing financial support.

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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

Concerns about the role of the European Court of Justice in Northern Ireland due to the Northern Ireland protocol.

Question

The Supreme Court website states that it is the final court for civil cases and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Will this continue to be the case for Northern Ireland business given the current state of affairs under the protocol?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Supreme Court continues to be the final court of appeal for Northern Ireland. The European Court of Justice has a role in certain areas under the Northern Ireland protocol, but we believe it is inappropriate for the ECJ to be the final arbiter and the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill would ensure UK courts have the final say.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on whether this will continue to be the case or how exactly the role of the Supreme Court will change.

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Q3 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Trade barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain are seen as a consequence of Brexit, with public opinion in the UK and Northern Ireland supporting EU rejoining.

Question

With 54% of people in the UK and even more in Northern Ireland now in favour of rejoining the EU, why is the UK Government refusing to consider this option that will fully end trade barriers for Northern Ireland within the UK?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The hon. Lady should be very careful in citing polling on former referendums, but the specific reason for not considering rejoining the EU was not elaborated upon.

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct answer to why the government is refusing this option or explain its refusal.

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Q4 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Concerns about the need for a trader support scheme and the desire to remove barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Question

The Secretary of State listed the support that the Government are giving to Northern Ireland businesses in relation to the protocol, mentioning millions spent on this purpose. However, does he not understand that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and that taxpayer money should not be needed for intra-country trade? What we need is the end of barriers to trade.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I understand the point and agree that we need to get to a position where there are no barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland through negotiation or potentially the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill if negotiations fail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific plan for removing trade barriers other than general agreement on needing it.

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Q5 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

Concerns raised about the Supreme Court's recent ruling on constitutional implications of the protocol and its impact on Northern Ireland's status within the UK.

Question

The Supreme Court has issued a judgment in relation to the constitutional implications of the protocol, stating that it has altered Northern Ireland's position within the UK by subjugating article 6 of the Act of Union. This changes key principles at the heart of the Good Friday agreement and needs addressing under UK law.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Our immediate priority is preserving political stability in Northern Ireland by restoring the Belfast/Good Friday institutions. The protocol has caused real problems including trade disruption, costs and bureaucracy for traders, and limitations on goods access for people in Northern Ireland. We are aware that things need to change.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timeline for addressing the constitutional implications raised.

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