Export Costs Northern Ireland to Great Britain 2020-09-15
2020-09-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the concern over potential new costs and administrative burdens that businesses in Northern Ireland may face when exporting goods to Great Britain under the withdrawal agreement.
What discussions have officials from (a) his Department and (b) HMRC had with businesses in Northern Ireland on potential additional costs for exporting goods to Great Britain from Northern Ireland under the withdrawal agreement?
The Government have been actively engaging with businesses and fully committed to providing them with the information and support needed to prepare for the end of the transition period in Northern Ireland. As was set out in the Command Paper, the Government's position is that there should be no additional process, paperwork or restrictions on Northern Ireland goods arriving in the rest of the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific discussions with businesses and HMRC were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about additional tariffs and paperwork imposed by the EU on goods entering Northern Ireland, which affects cash flow and costs for businesses. This issue is related to the UK Internal Market Bill.
While welcoming the provisions of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill debated yesterday, they do not cover the issue that the EU is demanding tariffs on goods coming into Northern Ireland until proven that they have not left Northern Ireland and gone into the EU. Given the Government's commitment to keeping Northern Ireland in the UK customs union, will the Minister give a commitment to ensuring in the Finance Bill that the EU demand for tariffs will be removed?
These topics are currently very live matters of discussion between this country and the EU, and I am not going to comment on that. However, we are engaged with these issues across Departments and will support principles set out in the protocol as we move forward.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment requested was not given.
These Topics Are Currently Very Live Matters Of Discussion Between This Country And The Eu, And I Am Not Going To Comment On That.
Response accuracy