← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Windsor Framework: Internal Market Guarantee
10 September 2025
Lead MP
Jim Allister
North Antrim
TUV
Responding Minister
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Tags
EconomyNorthern IrelandBrexit
Word Count: 3954
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Jim Allister raised concerns about windsor framework: internal market guarantee in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Allister calls for the Government to address the situation and ensure a free internal market within the United Kingdom.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Jim Allister expresses concern about the post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, where trade laws are dictated by EU regulations rather than UK law. He highlights that goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland require customs formalities and checks under EU legislation, which he views as an economic and democratic outrage.
Alex Easton
Ind
North Down
Northern Ireland faces over 300 areas of EU law affecting businesses with checks and paperwork that other UK firms do not face. Recently, lorries were turned back at ports for transporting food, which is a clear breach of the principles of unfettered access.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Allister argued that there has not been a single inward investment due to dual market access because of restrictions on accessing raw materials from GB, contrary to claims about economic benefits.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Shannon supports Allister's stance and calls for the Minister to address the issue of increased costs for businesses and delivery services due to changes in internal market rules.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Campbell highlighted that Northern Ireland's situation has improved only marginally and provided an example where a constituent was unable to order products from the Natural History Museum due to shipping restrictions.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Swann thanks Allister for raising concerns about additional bureaucracy and costs imposed on hauliers by the ICS2 system without proper engagement.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Wilson agrees that EU officials dictate trade terms between GB and Northern Ireland, treating Northern Ireland as an EU colony. Agrees with Jim Allister that without smooth trading, there will be economic and constitutional impacts on Northern Ireland, questioning if the Government is happy to see changes in its constitutional position. Wilson questioned why a £140 million border post is being erected in his constituency, despite fewer checks expected with the SPS agreement by 2027.
Government Response
Nick Thomas-Symonds
The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Government Response
Acknowledges the importance of protecting Northern Ireland’s integral place in the UK internal market, reiterates commitment to working with stakeholders across Northern Ireland. Stresses that the Government's commitment to the UK internal market is real, not a vague concept or aspiration.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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.