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United Kingdom Internal Market Bill

15 December 2020

Proposing MP
Rosie Winterton Lab
Doncaster Central
Type
Bill Debate

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses the disagreement with certain amendments in the UK Internal Market Bill related to exclusions for market access principles. The statement discusses the UK Internal Market Bill, addressing concerns over market access principles and their impact on devolved powers. The statement discusses concerns about EU state aid rules and their impact on UK sovereignty. The statement is about managing the debate on the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill and ensuring all Members have a chance to speak within the allotted time. The statement discusses the UK Internal Market Bill's impact on devolution and its perceived undermining of the powers of the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The statement discusses concerns over the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill and its potential impact on devolved nations, particularly Scotland and Wales. Joanna Cherry discusses the support for Lords amendments that aim to protect devolved settlements and policy divergence across the United Kingdom. Rosie Winterton is addressing concerns regarding the UK Internal Market Bill and its impact on devolution and agricultural standards. Rosie Winterton informs the House that due to social distancing measures, the Reasons Committee will meet in Committee Room 12.

Action Requested

The Minister requests that the House disagrees with Lords amendments 1F, 1G, 1H, 1K, 1L and 8M due to concerns about uncertainty and lack of clarity. The Government believes their current approach strikes a proper balance between devolved powers and market protections.

Key Facts

  • The debate is about the UK Internal Market Bill.
  • Amendments 1F, 1G, 1H, 1K, 1L and 8M are in dispute.
  • The Government aims to provide certainty for businesses with a carefully drafted exclusions regime.
  • The programme aims to put in place durable arrangements for intergovernmental working between the Government and devolved Administrations.
  • Market access principles do not prevent devolved Administrations from introducing policies designed to meet their own goals, including environmental measures.
  • Without mutual recognition, there would be a decrease in consumer choice and increased costs for businesses.
  • EU state aid rules are seen as a 'racket' controlling unilateral mechanisms without UK input.
  • Article 10 of the Northern Ireland protocol forces the UK to align with dynamic lists of EU state aid rules.
  • The European Court of Justice has enforcement and supervision powers under article 12.
  • The debate is scheduled to end at 3:10 PM.
  • Members are requested to speak for no more than three minutes each.
  • The Prime Minister believes that devolution is a disaster.
  • Labour abstained on votes for amendments challenging direct spending in devolved areas.
  • Lord Thomas argued that control over state aid is not reserved and questioned why the UK Government did not consult before producing the Bill.
  • Lord Hope warned that the Bill undermines opportunities to diverge policy.
  • Baroness Hayter highlighted that 'taking back control' meant taking power from the devolved Administrations.
  • The Bill allows UK Ministers to control spending in areas including economic development, infrastructure, and public services.
  • The Bill allows a Prime Minister to cast aside concerns of Scotland and Wales for the sake of trade deals.
  • Labour gave up on key fundamentals of devolution in the Lords.
  • Lord Thomas hopes that the Tory Government will adhere to Union principles.
  • Lord Hope’s amendment seeks to prevent the UK Government from overriding policy divergence in devolved areas.
  • Lord Stevenson’s amendment exempts environmental standards and public health from market access principles.
  • The amendments will likely be defeated due to lack of support from Labour Back Benchers.
  • The Bill overrides powers within the Scotland Act 1998.
  • Immigration policy, control of fireworks, and drug laws are areas where Scotland has been restricted by UK Government decisions.
  • In 2020, there were 1,264 deaths due to drugs in Scotland.
  • The meeting of the Reasons Committee is relocated to Committee Room 12.
  • The House is suspended for three minutes.
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