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UK’s Exit from the European Union
24 April 2023
Lead MP
Martyn Day
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
SNP
Responding Minister
Leo Docherty
Tags
EconomyTaxationBrexitBusiness & Trade
Word Count: 25655
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Martyn Day raised concerns about uk’s exit from the european union in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should focus on direct access to the single market, sorting out visa systems for industries, addressing long-run productivity issues caused by Brexit, and helping small businesses overwhelmed with paperwork.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The hon. Member for Gravesham's statement on insurance risks was misleading; leaving the EU does not guarantee reforms and could harm policyholders and pensioners. Brexit has led to shortages in hospitality, health care, blunt economic damage, small businesses closing, severed supply chains, additional paperwork, higher food costs due to border queues, and job losses moving overseas. It also faces challenges with trade deals, prioritising UK regulations over EU ones.
Adam Holloway
Con
Gravesham
The MP argues that his constituents voted for Brexit in the hope of sovereignty and better governance. He highlights the benefits of leaving the EU, such as the ability to reform financial services regulations and increase competitiveness. The MP expresses disappointment over how the government initially treated Brexit as a mistake.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
As a member of the shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs team, Alex Sobel highlighted the irony that UK production is decreasing while more goods are being imported directly from the EU. He argued this trend contradicts claims made about Brexit's benefits.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
The SNP supports the petition for evidence-based policymaking but with reservations about its wording. Smith criticises the exclusion of EU nationals from voting in the Brexit referendum and highlights how leaving the EU has affected various sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, NHS staffing, music tours, student exchanges, universities' engagement in Horizon Europe, food imports/exports, and SMEs. He calls for practical solutions such as sectoral visas, veterinary agreements, and single market membership to address current problems.
Amy Callaghan
SNP
East Dunbartonshire
The people of East Dunbartonshire voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, and support for rejoining has only risen since Brexit. The impacts of leaving have not been inflicted in the name of democracy; Scotland did not vote for leaving. Promised benefits from Brexit, such as increased trade and economic growth, have failed to materialize. Public services are underfunded, and there are significant skills gaps due to a hostile environment towards immigration from EU countries.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
The potential for error correction in democracy suggests that if people change their minds about Brexit, reversing the decision would be logical. Ms Lucas highlighted the misinformation surrounding Brexit, citing examples such as the £350 million a week for the NHS claim and economic warnings from the OBR. She also discussed the negative impact on small businesses and growth, and the vilification of free movement during the campaign.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
The creative sector, particularly musicians, has been negatively affected by the lack of agreement between countries post-Brexit. Children and young people have also faced significant impacts such as restricted access to Erasmus schemes and difficulties in traveling abroad for school trips. Restrictions on school trips abroad have significant negative impacts on local economies and limit opportunities for young people to form international friendships.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
The MP questions whether Brexit has led to a shortage of EU workers in hospitality, citing that 50% of Edinburgh's workforce in this industry came from other European countries before the exit.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
More than 180,000 people have signed the petition seeking answers on Brexit's impact. The public wants an assessment of Brexit's outcome to mitigate any damage caused by it. There is frustration with the Government not addressing issues like economic costs, business red tape, loss of businesses, and impacts on sectors such as music, education, security, workforce in NHS, and environmental standards. Noted a report indicating that UK chief executives are leaving their roles at an increased rate due to sluggish growth and EU red tape post-Brexit.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
The debate focuses on the impact of leaving the European Union, highlighting economic consequences such as a decline in small businesses trading with the EU by one third between 2020 and 2021. The economy's performance is poor due to reduced trade intensity, stalled business investment, and challenges for employers finding workers.
Arfon
The UK Government do not believe that Brexit is a subject for debate, conducting the discussion in Westminster Hall instead of the main Chamber. The benefits of Brexit are singularly elusive with many Welsh constituencies regretting their decision to leave. Businesses are struggling due to post-Brexit red tape and trade policies that strain supply chains. Hywel Williams cited the Menai mussel industry's decline and Seiont Nurseries' export challenges as practical examples. He called for an independent public inquiry into Brexit campaigns, examining what was promised versus delivered.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon expressed his support for Brexit and highlighted the vote results in Strangford, where Portavogie voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU. He mentioned opportunities such as gaining access to new markets for local businesses like Lakeland Dairies and lifting restrictions on fishing regulations. Shannon also discussed Northern Ireland's challenges under the protocol, including burdens on local businesses, non-binding legal opinions regarding the Stormont brake, and issues with cattle sales and haulage logistics.
John Nicolson
SNP
Ochil and South Perthshire
Historians will write about the failure of Brexit, noting its impact on Scotland. The Erasmus scheme has been replaced with an inadequate Turing scheme, impacting educational opportunities for students in John's constituency. Local businesses such as Glenturret distillery face increased costs and complications due to new EU regulations, causing them to abandon smaller markets. Hotels struggle to find labour, affecting their capacity to operate fully.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Responded to an earlier speaker, emphasizing that the UK had representation in EU decision-making processes through MEPs who were involved in commissions and committees deciding laws. This indicates that British voices played a role in shaping these laws. The Government's botched Brexit deal has worsened the cost of living, impacted businesses and healthcare workers, hindered scientific collaboration with Europe, and stalled rejoining Horizon Europe. The Retained EU Law Bill threatens UK standards and international reputation. Asked why the UK economy is at the bottom of developed countries in terms of economic growth, despite facing similar challenges as other nations.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
The 0.08% boost in GDP from access to the CPTPP does not justify ignoring the economic problems caused by Brexit. Rejoining the single market is seen as a necessary step.
Battersea
Brexit has had an unmitigated disaster effect on Battersea's constituents, impacting the economy and rights. A cumulative impact assessment is called for to understand the full effects of Brexit.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Children and young people who were too young to vote during the Brexit referendum have lost out on opportunities such as access to the Erasmus programme. Issues include increased bureaucracy for school trips and travel restrictions.
Sarah Green
Lib Dem
Chesham and Amersham
Business owners face additional costs due to Brexit paperwork, with the Buckinghamshire Business Barometer reporting that 42% of businesses in Bucks face higher costs from increased red tape. Artists and musicians experience difficulties touring Europe post-Brexit due to visa requirements. The care sector struggles with staff shortages caused by the loss of EU workers.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Agreed with an earlier speaker's point about the importance of the Windsor agreement and criticized the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill for undermining this agreement by removing alignments of laws around goods and services, reflecting how Brexit has blinded people to what is in their best interests. Questioned how transferring power over 5,000 areas of legislation to Ministers through statutory instruments is an example of taking back control.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Mr Doughty highlighted the negative impacts of Brexit on UK businesses, including a third drop in exports and difficulties trading with EU. He argued that the Government's poorly negotiated deal has contributed to economic stagnation and isolation from European allies. The MP suggested Labour's approach would focus on fixing flaws in the current relationship without seeking rejoining the EU or launching an inquiry. Inquired whether the lack of funding outside Horizon would boost or hinder growth, innovation, and investment in the university sector.
Stephen Farry
SDLP
Strangford
Brexit has diminished the UK's international standing and constrained economic growth. Northern Ireland faces specific challenges, including governance issues and a lack of functioning Assembly, which are exacerbated by Brexit. The loss of EU funding and research opportunities is significant, particularly in marginalised areas like Wales, Merseyside, and Cornwall.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
Mr Bonnar highlighted the negative impacts of Brexit on Scotland's economy, including a potential £12.7 billion loss per year by 2030. He criticised the UK government for ignoring public dissatisfaction with Brexit and noted that full EU membership could restore lost economic benefits but is opposed by both major parties.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gower
Transparency is crucial for good governance, especially in understanding the impact of Brexit.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
In Bath, 70% of constituents voted to remain. The city feels a deep sense of loss due to the UK's exit from the EU. Wera Hobhouse highlighted that the OBR predicts Brexit will reduce long-term GDP by about 4%, with imports and exports both being 15% lower in the long run than if we remained in the EU. She argued that an inquiry into the impact of Brexit is crucial to uncovering evidence rather than relying on government propaganda, pointing out difficulties faced by small businesses and NHS staff due to the exit.
Government Response
Leo Docherty
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day) for presenting this debate, and to all right hon. and hon. Members for their contributions. The UK and the EU are still hugely important allies; our departure from the EU was a result of a democratic choice by people across the nation to restore sovereignty. Parliament approved the withdrawal agreement and the trade and co-operation agreement. Restoring our sovereignty was just the start, we have committed to capitalising on opportunities brought by Brexit. The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill will be an expression of renewed democratic sovereignty. We are creating a regulatory environment to drive economic growth in new technologies, aiming for a dynamic innovation sector. There have been choppy waters, but the future growth of this country is clear; we should share confidence in the UK's ability to be an agile, global and extremely dynamic economy. The Government have introduced a points-based system to attract top talent from around the world. We continue to support cultural exchanges between the UK and the EU, such as the Turing scheme. On our relationship with the EU, the Government are fully focused on implementing the trade and co-operation agreement and the newly agreed Windsor framework. Both agreements are functioning as intended; we look forward to entering a new phase in our post-Brexit relationships in Europe.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.