Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Internal Market

Wednesday 15 October 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Rosindell questioned the Secretary of State about the restrictions on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland due to the "Safeguarding the Union" provisions.
  • The Secretary of State responded that these restrictions are a consequence of leaving the European Union and emphasized that goods are currently moving between jurisdictions.
  • Mike Wood asked about the application of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Northern Ireland and its potential breach of EU tobacco regulations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question addresses concerns over restrictions on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland following the implementation of EU law provisions post-Brexit.

Question

It is a disgrace that the “Safeguarding the Union” provisions severely restrict trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, binding the Province to 300 areas of EU law over which the people have no say. Will the Secretary of State take steps to remove what is left of this damaging international trade border within our own nation and restore the birthright of the people of Northern Ireland as equal citizens of this United Kingdom?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

This is the consequence of leaving the European Union. There was an open border and two different jurisdictions—how were we going to deal with trade in those circumstances? Secondly, the goods are flowing; the goods are moving. Look at the evidence: the Northern Ireland economy in the second quarter grew by 2%. That is not indicative of a problem.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific ask regarding removing restrictions on trade or restoring full integration into the UK internal market.

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Q2 Mike Wood Con Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The question concerns the applicability of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Northern Ireland, which may conflict with EU law due to age-based sales bans.

Question

On 26 November last year, the Health Secretary assured this House that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will apply in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State will know that the age-based sales ban affects the placement of tobacco products on the market and so is potentially in breach of the EU’s tobacco products directive. Can the Secretary of State repeat the Health Secretary’s assurance and also tell us whether the Government have confirmed with the European Union that the ban will stand in Northern Ireland?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

It is certainly the Government’s intention that the ban will apply in Northern Ireland because it is very important that young people all over the United Kingdom are protected in the way which the Bill seeks.

Answered
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