Key Facts

• Financial privilege is engaged by Lords amendments 48, 49, and 50.
• Mr Speaker deems Lords amendment 50 disagreed with as it imposes a charge on public revenue unauthorised by the money resolution passed on 14 September.
• The Government are accepting some Lords amendments but disagreeing with others that would generate more ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Many active frameworks have little or no interaction with the Bill as they do not pertain to the internal market.
• The common frameworks programme was set up in 2017 and operates through voluntary agreement.
• Amendments 1, 19, and 34 are considered unnecessary by the Government due to potential significant drawbacks.
• The Bill aims to strengthen ties within the Union and deliver on manifesto commitments.
• Clauses 48 and 49 provide a unified power for strategic investment throughout the UK.
• The Government intends to complement and enhance existing spending powers in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• The Government is disappointed with the Lords' decision to take out powers hampering the ability to level up the country.
• Clause 46 would codify existing practice for state aid notification to the European Commission via the Foreign Secretary's office.
• Solutions being considered in Joint Committee discussions will determine whether clause 44 and clauses 45, 47 can be removed or deactivated.
• There are a large number of right hon. and hon. Members wanting to contribute to the debate.
• The Bill was heavily criticised in the House of Lords.
• Conservative peers, including Lord Howard and Lord Hague, opposed the Bill.
• Former Cabinet Ministers also spoke against the Bill.
• The Bill has caused concern among five former Prime Ministers and peers like Lord Howard.
• The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 contains a similar principle regarding notwithstanding arrangements.
• Article 16 of the protocol allows for unilateral action in case of serious difficulties.
• The speaker fears that the Bill will destabilize Northern Ireland and alienate President-elect Biden.
• The UK Internal Market Bill undermines devolved powers.
• Lord Hope’s amendments seek to put common frameworks into the Bill.
• Amendment 12 seeks wider exclusions for market access principles.
• No details have been provided about how wide-ranging powers will be exercised under the shared prosperity fund.
• Cash refers to Lord Judge's statement in the House of Lords conceding the principle for 'notwithstanding' provisions.
• Section 38 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 includes the concept of 'notwithstanding'.
• The House of Commons passed the Bill with a large majority, and it was also approved in the House of Lords without dissent.
• Clause 42 authorises UK Government spending on devolved areas for a shared prosperity fund.
• The Scottish Parliament has concerns over clause 49, which seeks to re-reserve state aid.
• Lord Callanan confirmed that clause 44 reserves the power for the UK Parliament to legislate for a UK-wide subsidy control regime.
• The UK Internal Market Bill has been criticized in Scotland with 15 consecutive opinion polls showing majority support for independence.
• Only 7% of Scottish people do not support devolution according to the Scottish social attitudes survey.
• The Bill has been described as an attempt by the Tory Government to re-centralise powers, and it was condemned by experts like Catherine Barnard, Steve Peers, Simon Davis, and George Peretz.
• The UK Internal Market Bill is criticised for facilitating a race to the bottom on standards.
• It threatens the quality of food and drink by allowing genetically-modified beef and chlorinated chicken.
• The bill undermines devolved powers in Scotland.
• The Bill is described as a contingency power similar to Germany's constitutional rights.
• Free trade within the UK has been integral since 1707.
• Devolved legislatures were created after EU membership, necessitating specific UK-based rules post-Brexit.
• The Government wants to reintroduce international law-breaking clauses in the Bill despite ongoing Brexit negotiations.
• The Prime Minister will meet Ursula von der Leyen later this week to discuss unresolved issues.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility reported that the economy is hit either way, but it is much worse if no agreement is reached.
• The House of Lords has revised the Bill extensively.
• Clause 8(7) was removed by the House of Lords, requiring Government consultations with devolved Governments for regulations under Subsection Removed.
• Lords amendment 60 suggests a one-month period for consent to appointments in the Office for the Internal Market panel.
• The Government intends to reinstate the parliamentary lock removed by their Lordships.
• The parliamentary lock will only be used under certain hurdles having been met.
• The Bill includes clauses that are essential for maintaining the integrity of the UK and protecting Northern Ireland from economic damage.
• Andrew Bowie focuses on the devolution aspects of the Bill.
• Lords amendments 1, 19, and 34 address issues regarding common frameworks but are opposed by Andrew Bowie.
• The SNP's opposition to the Bill is highlighted as evidence that it strengthens the Union.
• Andrew Bowie disagrees with Professor Michael Keating's view on cross-cutting powers in the Bill.
• Former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars stated that Nicola Sturgeon wants to hand back devolved powers to Brussels.
• The Bill will amount to more money being spent in Scotland, safeguarding jobs and protecting prosperity.
• Lords amendments 48 and 49 attempt to remove UK Government's power to provide financial assistance across the United Kingdom.
• The Government has failed to conclude negotiations with the European Union on a future trading relationship.
• Their lordships have inserted amendments that remove part 5 from the Bill and assert the primacy of common frameworks over provisions in the Bill.
• The common frameworks process was developed for the four nations of the UK to agree on how powers should be exercised, providing an equal footing forum.
• Part 5 of the Bill seeks to neutralise potentially detrimental effects of EU provisions in the Northern Ireland protocol.
• The powers in part 5 do not come into effect until a commencement order by the Secretary of State with House approval.
• Clause removals are planned for clauses 44, 45 and 47 if a trade deal is confirmed.
• The Bill aims to prevent new checks on goods and services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
• Article 6 of the Northern Ireland protocol states that Northern Ireland should have unfettered access to Great Britain's markets.
• The Bill includes measures to ensure it is illegal to introduce new checks based on rules created outside the Union.
• The Bill undermines Britain’s international reputation by breaking international law.
• Measures in part 5 of the Bill give Ministers power to disapply powers to Northern Ireland, breaching the Northern Ireland protocol.
• The Bill hollows out and reserves the Senedd's powers, paving the way for deregulation of goods and services.
• Clause 42 would enable the UK Government to spend funds in ways that could undermine devolved areas such as health, education, and housing.
• The UK outlawed fur production in 2002 but cannot ban fur import due to single market restrictions.
• Denmark culled millions of mink because of intensive farming leading to coronavirus infections.
• Clauses 48 and 49 will enable the UK to fulfill its manifesto commitment about levelling up.
• The United Kingdom Internal Market Bill is presented as a way to preserve sovereignty if no trade agreement is possible.
• Section 38 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 recognises parliamentary sovereignty despite other sections.
• Amendments 48, 49, and 51 in the House of Lords are seen as diminishing parliamentary sovereignty.
• 80 constituents wrote expressing disgust at the Bill.
• President-elect Joe Biden stated that a future trade deal hinges on protecting the Good Friday peace agreement.
• In Committee, Members voted by 433 to 165 to remove clause 42.
• The election of Joe Biden as President of the United States is highlighted.
• There is no prospect of a US trade deal if there is any threat to the Good Friday agreement due to this Bill or subsequent taxation Bills.
• Majority of Northern Ireland residents, Members of the Assembly and businesses do not want the UK breaking international law.
• The Bill allows ministers to derogate from the United Kingdom's obligations under international law.
• Lords amendments aim to delete clauses that undermine devolved powers in Scotland and Wales.
• Lord Hope stated that this Government regard devolution as an inconvenience.
• The Welsh Government proposes a ban on single-use plastics, which could be prevented by the Bill.
• The UK Government's proposals would set the lowest standards chosen by one Parliament as minimum standards across all nations.
• The government is prepared to break its word on an international treaty.
• Scotland did not vote for Brexit but voted overwhelmingly for devolution in 1997.
• All parties in the Scottish Parliament, except the Scottish Tories, rejected this Bill.
• 15 consecutive opinion polls show over 50% of voters in Scotland want a second independence referendum.
• The debate highlights inconsistencies from Opposition Members regarding the Bill's purpose.
• Part 5 of the Bill aims to provide certainty for Northern Ireland businesses through unfettered access into GB.
• At the end of the transition period, hundreds of EU powers will flow back to the UK and many will fall within devolved Administrations' competence.
• Mr Speaker deemed Lords amendment 50 disagreed to.
• Amendments 51 to 57 and 61 are also disagreed to.
• Amendments 2 to 7, 20 to 29, 35 to 41 and 58 to 60 agreed to.
• Paul Scully, Michael Tomlinson, Jo Gideon, Mark Fletcher, Ed Miliband, Gill Furniss and Drew Hendry appointed as members of the Committee.
• The Committee will meet in Committee Room 12.