Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Departure from EU

Wednesday 13 September 2023 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government are focused on opening new international export markets for Scottish businesses.
  • Recent trading numbers show that the UK is now doing more trade with the EU in goods and services than when it was a member.
  • The UK's relationship with the EU has improved, including through agreements like the Windsor framework and accession to Horizon.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question arises due to concerns about Scotland's economic and trade relationship post-Brexit. There is a perception that leaving the EU has negative implications for Scottish businesses.

Question

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK's departure from the EU on Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

The UK Government are focused on opening new international export markets for Scottish businesses. We have trade agreements with 71 non-EU countries and the EU, and those agreements will support growth, jobs and higher wages. The hon. Gentleman will have noted the recently revised numbers, which show that we have recovered better from the pandemic than France, Italy or Germany. Since 2010, the United Kingdom has achieved the third highest rate of growth in the G7—faster than Italy, France, Japan and Germany.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact on Scotland was not addressed

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Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Brexit
Context

A majority of people in Glasgow North, and a significant portion across Scotland, voted to retain EU membership. Recent polls suggest higher support for remaining within the EU.

Question

We had a really good trading relationship with the European Union—it was called membership—and 78% of people in Glasgow North, and 62% of people across Scotland, voted to retain it. If Brexit is really delivering the successes that the Secretary of State says it is, why does he think the polls show that those figures would be even higher if the people of Scotland had the choice again?

Answer from Alister Jack

The recent trading numbers show that we are now doing more trade with the EU in goods and services than we did when we were members.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Public opinion was not addressed, only trade numbers

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Q3 Oliver Heald Con
Brexit
Context

The Windsor framework and North Sea group agreements are seen as positive developments in the UK's post-Brexit relations with the EU, including access to Horizon programmes.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we are developing a much better relationship with our former colleagues in the EU, including through agreements such as the Windsor framework, and our accession to the North sea group of countries that co-operate on energy and, more recently, to Horizon and other European programmes? That shows that we are on the right footing to have a good future relationship post Brexit.

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes. On Horizon, we were patient and did the right deal. It showed the future for British scientists, as well as how important British scientists were to Horizon and how much the EU wanted them to be part of it. My right hon. and learned Friend is right: we have a better relationship, and one that does not cost £22 billion a year.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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