Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Exit: Economic Growth

Tuesday 9 December 2025 · 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 Office for Budget Responsibility has confirmed an estimated 4% drop in productivity due to leaving the EU.
  • No direct assessment from the Treasury on the SNP's plans for Scotland's separation from the UK was provided.
  • The Government has reset its relationship with the EU, securing a trade deal with the US and expanding opportunities in India.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Economy Brexit
Context

The SNP Member references the Office for Budget Responsibility's estimate that productivity will be 4% lower due to Brexit. He also mentions trade deals with the US and India, questioning the Labour party's analysis.

Question

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of leaving the EU on economic growth? The OBR estimated a 4% drop in productivity, and alongside trade deals with the US and India, the Government is resetting its relationship with the EU. However, when will the Labour party release their analysis given that leaving the EU now costs an estimated £250 million per day?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

The Office for Budget Responsibility has produced an independent analysis and confirmed that it believes 4% is the correct number, and the OBR continues to maintain that in its forecasts. The SNP’s plans for Scotland leaving the UK are criticized as being costly and disruptive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for Labour's analysis release timeline was not addressed.

How: Criticizing The Snp, Referencing Obr

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Q2 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Scotland
Context

The Member asks about the Treasury’s assessment of the SNP’s plan to separate Scotland from its main market, the rest of the UK. He also thanks the Chancellor for additional funding for the Scottish budget.

Question

Has the Treasury made any assessment of the SNP's plans to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK? This separation would disrupt trade accounting for 60% of Scotland’s economy. Additionally, I thank the Chancellor for the £820 million extra for the Scottish budget.

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

No direct answer provided. The Chancellor did not address the specific question but thanked the Member for their kind words about additional funding for the Scottish budget.

Not addressed: There is no mention or assessment of SNP’s plans, instead focusing on the thank you note.

How: Acknowledging Thanks, No Direct Answer

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Q3 Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans
Economy Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Member highlights the impact of Brexit on British businesses, mentioning red tape and a £90 billion hole in public finances. She asks about voting for a new UK-EU customs union to remove red tape.

Question

British businesses are wrapped up in red tape due to the botched Brexit deal, costing an estimated £90 billion annually. With her stated mission of economic growth, will she and her Ministers vote with the Liberal Democrats this afternoon to get rid of that red tape and deliver on a new UK-EU customs union?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

Since coming to office, we have reset our relationship with the EU and agreed on expansive changes including food and farming, electricity trading, youth mobility. Additionally, we secured the first trade deal with the US and are expanding opportunities in fast-growing economies like India.

Not addressed: There is no commitment to voting for a customs union, instead highlighting other trade deals.

How: Highlighting Other Trade Deals

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