Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leaving the EU: Import and Export Requirements

Wednesday 24 January 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The latest official figures show sustained increases in both imports and exports between Scotland and the EU, with positive results for services too.
  • Scotland continues to punch above its weight in exports, goods and services and foreign direct investment.
  • The hon. Lady and the SNP really do have a brass neck speaking about business costs, given their own policy of setting up a hard border at Berwick.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Carol Monaghan SNP
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question addresses concerns about the economic impact of post-Brexit regulations on Scottish trade.

Question

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the impact of import and export requirements following the UK's exit from the EU on Scottish businesses. The latest official figures show sustained increases in both imports and exports between Scotland and the EU, with positive results for services too.

Answer from John Lamont

The latest official figures speak for themselves and show sustained increases in both the import and export of goods between Scotland and the EU, with healthy results for services too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific impact or costs of new regulations on Scottish businesses.

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Q2 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland Brexit
Context

The question highlights the economic downturn caused by Brexit, with £140 billion lost from the UK economy and increased regulatory burdens for exporters. It questions whether Scotland should seek independence and rejoin the EU.

Question

The Brexit pain continues, with £140 billion wiped off the UK economy and more regulation making it tough for exporters. Relative to similarly sized countries, Scotland's exports are under real pressure. Two themes in the First Minister's industrial strategy were to become an independent nation and to rejoin the EU. All the evidence points to the fact that that is the correct course of action, does it not?

Answer from John Lamont

No, it does not. Scotland continues to punch above its weight in exports, goods and services and foreign direct investment. Trade is now well above pre-Brexit levels.

Not addressed: Did not address the economic pressures or evidence for independence and EU rejoining.

How: Punching Above Its Weight, Trade Levels

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Q3 Carol Monaghan SNP
Brexit
Context

The question highlights the cost incurred by new Brexit controls, estimated at £330 million. Businesses in Glasgow face increased costs and red tape.

Question

According to the Government's own figures, new Brexit controls will cost the UK £330 million. Businesses in Glasgow are telling me they are already suffering from increased costs and red tape when importing parts and exporting goods. Can the Minister explain to businesses in my Glasgow North West constituency how Brexit is good for them?

Answer from John Lamont

The hon. Lady and the SNP really do have a brass neck speaking about business costs, given their own policy of setting up a hard border at Berwick, next to my constituency. That would risk thousands of jobs and force thousands of companies out of business—it would be a most damaging and reckless economic step. We will work through any short-term issues, but the answer is not the long-term decline proposed by the SNP.

Not addressed: Did not address how Brexit benefits businesses in Glasgow North West constituency.

How: Hard Border, Long-Term Decline

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