Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill

Wednesday 22 February 2023 · 7 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 Minister responded to questions about the potential impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill on Scotland, emphasizing the opportunity to reset the relationship with Scotland.
  • The Minister rejected the assertion that lower environmental standards would cost the British Government 83 billion over three decades, asserting that standards are being respected and raised.
  • The Minister dismissed claims about the negative impacts of Brexit causing more red tape for businesses, stating that workers' rights are protected and enhanced by the UK Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joanna Cherry SNP
Scotland
Context

Joanna Cherry asks about the potential impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill on Scotland.

Question

What assessment has he made of the potential impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill on Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

I realise that many colleagues on the Benches diagonally opposite are somewhat preoccupied with the contest to become the leader of the Scottish National party and Scotland's First Minister. In my view, this is a real opportunity for a new First Minister to reset the relationship with the United Kingdom Government, to work constructively with us and to make life better for the people of Scotland. We need a First Minister who puts Scotland's interests above the nationalists' interests. My offer to all those running in the contest is this: the United Kingdom Government stand ready to work with you, and that will be the real win for improving the lives of people in Scotland.

Not addressed: The assessment of the bill's impact on Scotland

How: Changed Subject, Criticised Opposition

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Q2 Martin Docherty SNP
Scotland Brexit Environment
Context

A report by the Economics for the Environment Consultancy suggests that lower standards in chemical regulation, water pollution, air quality, and habitat protection could cost the British Government £83 billion over 30 years.

Question

According to a report by the Economics for the Environment Consultancy, lower standards just in chemical regulation, water pollution, air quality and the protection of habitats will cost the British Government £83 billion over the next three decades. Does he believe it is right for Scotland to face yet another billion-pound price tag for a Brexit that it did not vote for?

Answer from Alister Jack

I do not recognise that analysis. We are respecting and raising environmental standards. Where matters are devolved we respect that, and the Scottish Government are able to deal with those matters under retained EU law as they see fit. Where there is overlap, we have frameworks and we will work together.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether Scotland should face additional financial burdens due to Brexit

How: Denied Analysis

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Q3 Gavin Newlands SNP
Brexit
Context

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warns that the Bill may weaken safety standards on construction and other work sites, potentially leading to loss of life and limb.

Question

The negative impacts of Brexit are already visible, with food prices up 6% and a third of the companies that formerly exported to the EU giving up, owing to customs paperwork—and that includes companies in my constituency. Does he not recognise that it is Brexit that is causing more red tape for businesses, and that diverging from EU standards further under this much-criticised Bill will further exacerbate trade friction between the UK and the continent?

Answer from Alister Jack

When it comes to utter drivel, it should not be a competition, but the hon. Member has taken it to a new height. What utter drivel that was! Workers' rights are entirely protected; in fact, they are being enhanced by this Government, and they are not dependent on EU membership.

Not addressed: Recognition of negative impacts of Brexit and impact of the Bill on trade friction

How: Insult

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Q4 Joanna Cherry SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Food prices have increased by 6% since the start of Brexit, and a third of companies that previously exported to the EU are now ceasing their operations due to customs paperwork issues.

Question

The negative impacts of Brexit are already visible, with food prices up 6% and a third of the companies that formerly exported to the EU giving up, owing to customs paperwork—and that includes companies in my constituency. Does he not recognise that it is Brexit that is causing more red tape for businesses, and that diverging from EU standards further under this much-criticised Bill will further exacerbate trade friction between the UK and the continent?

Answer from Alister Jack

No, because I believe that we have a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU, and we are working out and ironing out the problems. We have been very successful in doing that, particularly for the fishing industry. We also have before us huge opportunities: not just the trade deals with Australia, New Zealand and others, but the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership, which will cover almost half the world's trade and will provide a huge opportunity for Scotland's food and drink industry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recognition of negative impacts of Brexit and impact of the Bill on trade friction

How: Denied Analysis, Highlighted Opportunities

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Q5 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government have not been able to take over welfare devolved powers since they were granted in 2016, with implementation delayed until 2026.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be ideal if the new First Minister put as much focus on the powers that the Scottish Government already have as on retained EU law? Was he as disappointed as I was to find that, once again, the Scottish Government were unable to take over the devolved powers on welfare that they were given in 2016, and that it now seems that those powers will not come into place until 2026—10 years after the Scotland Act 2016?

Answer from Alister Jack

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I know that he was in the Scotland Office when those powers were devolved in 2016. Some of them will not come into operation until 2026. That is because, while we want to work with the Scottish Government—we are working with them—and we hope we will deliver those programmes at the Scottish Government's pace, the pace could be moved up if they spent more time focusing on the day job and less time on their obsession with separation.

Not addressed: Focus on existing devolved powers versus retained EU law and disappointment about delayed welfare implementation

How: Changed Subject

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Q6 Philippa Whitford SNP
Scotland Brexit Local Government
Context

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has identified over 1,700 pieces of retained EU law in devolved areas like agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

Question

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs alone has identified more than 1,700 pieces of retained EU law, with the majority in devolved areas such as agriculture, forestry and fishing. What happens if the Scottish Government want to maintain some of the EU standards that his party wants to ditch? Does he think it would be right for UK Ministers to change regulations in devolved matters without consent? How does that respect devolution?

Answer from Alister Jack

We are working constructively and collaboratively with the Scottish Government on those retained EU laws. Where we have agreement on a cross-UK piece of policy, we will legislate on behalf of the devolved Administrations. Where it is in a devolved area, we will respect that and allow the Scottish Government to do as they see fit. If they want to remain in line with EU regulations, they can.

Partly answered

Not addressed: UK ministers changing regulations without consent

How: Denied Specific Action

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Q7 Philippa Whitford SNP
Scotland
Context

The UK Internal Market Act 2022 allows goods made in the rest of the UK to enter Scotland even if they do not meet future Scottish standards. This has raised concerns about increased direct rule by Westminster and undermining devolution.

Question

Because of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2022, goods made in the rest of the UK cannot be kept out of Scotland, even if they do not meet future Scottish standards on quality, safety or environmental impact. Does the Secretary of State not recognise that the combined effect of both pieces of legislation will drastically increase the degree of direct rule by Westminster and drive a coach and horses through devolution?

Answer from Alister Jack

That is not true. We are respecting the devolved settlement. If we look at precision breeding and gene editing, for instance, the Scottish farming industry, the National Farmers Union of Scotland and all the other farming unions in the UK want to be part of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, but we have respected the Scottish Government saying that they do not want to be part of it. Their dogma desires them to carry on with the EU rules and we respect that. As regards the UK internal market, it is absolutely right that trade can continue seamlessly across the United Kingdom, because 60% of Scotland's trade is with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address how the UK Internal Market Act and other legislative measures impact Scottish autonomy or devolution. He instead highlighted that they respect the devolved settlement but provided no specific commitments to mitigate concerns raised by the questioner.

How: Their Dogma Desires Them To Carry On With The Eu Rules And We Respect That

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