Free Trade Agreements Opportunities for Scotland 2021-09-08
2021-09-08
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the recent signing of new free trade agreements by the UK government, raising concerns about their impact specifically for Scotland.
What recent assessment has been made of the effect of new free trade agreements on trading opportunities for Scotland?
This Government have already struck trade deals with more than 68 countries as well as the EU worth £744 billion a year. This will create new markets for Scotland's exporters, including our world-leading food and drinks sector. The Department for International Trade team based in Edinburgh is also helping Scottish businesses thrive and grow internationally.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
With recent trade agreements, there is optimism about how these can benefit specific sectors in Scotland.
Scotland's businesses will be among the main beneficiaries of the trade deals we have already secured around the world. Does my hon. Friend agree that we will now be able to use our new status as an independent trading nation to promote the very best that Scottish industries have to offer to the world?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend: he is absolutely right. This Government are working hard to strike new trade deals around the world that will benefit key business sectors and consumers across Scotland and across the whole of the UK.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Concerns about whether the advantage to Scottish industries in negotiating trade deals is greater when done collectively with the rest of the UK.
Does my hon. Friend agree that the advantage to Scotland of negotiating together with the United Kingdom for free trade deals makes the case for the United Kingdom to be together as one country?
On that final point, I could not agree more. It is hugely welcome to see the removal of the 5% tariff on Scotch whisky in the agreement in principle between the UK and Australia. That will help Scottish whisky distillers to continue to expand exports to Australia.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the economic impact on specific sectors like seafood, hospitality, and food and drink caused by Brexit and labour shortages.
What are the current losses to the seafood industry because of Brexit? What compensation has it received from the UK Government? What are the total losses to the hospitality industry due to lack of EU labour access? What are the total losses to the Scottish Food and Drink Federation due to HGV driver shortages?
I did not quite catch all of that, but I did catch the words “fishing” and “HGV drivers”. On fishing, I would not be surprised if I talk to many more people in the fishing industry than the hon. Gentleman does, and I will take my advice on the situation in the fishing industry from them.
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Assessment & feedback
He did not provide detailed statistics or compensation figures for losses as requested.
Did Not Catch All Of That
Took Advice From Fishermen Instead
Response accuracy