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Windsor Framework: Parcel Delivery
30 April 2025
Lead MP
Jim Allister
North Antrim
TUV
Responding Minister
Hilary Benn
Tags
Northern IrelandBrexit
Word Count: 3712
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Jim Allister raised concerns about windsor framework: parcel delivery in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should provide evidence that business parcels have caused harm to the single market over the past four years, and take steps to legally remove the obligation from their citizens in Northern Ireland.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Tomorrow, 1 May, the noose of the Irish sea border will tighten further, subjecting all raw materials for Northern Ireland businesses to EU requirements. This imposes a preposterous imposition in bureaucracy, cost and non-competitiveness on Northern Ireland's economy.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds Central
Welcomed the Windsor framework negotiations and acknowledged the burden on small businesses. Emphasized simplifications such as reducing data fields for customs paperwork from 75 to 21, and introduced the trader goods profile which auto-populates forms.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Highlighted concerns about the impact of the general product safety regulation on consumers in Northern Ireland, emphasizing that businesses need an agent in Northern Ireland and to be in a trusted trader scheme.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member agrees that it is unrealistic for the Government to expect small businesses and individuals to understand the obligations due to EU interference, and calls for steps to legally remove the obligation.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Firms can apply to be part of the UK internal market scheme but HMRC says it could take months for firms to have their applications processed, adding considerable cost and acting as a barrier to doing trade. Stressed the economic implications for firms, including higher costs of goods and cash-flow problems due to delayed tax refunds. A local businessman said he now has 27 pages of paperwork to bring goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland, making business nearly impossible.
Government Response
Hilary Benn
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Government Response
Acknowledged that new arrangements represent a change for businesses but were necessary as the previous system was not viable. Emphasized that the Windsor framework is an improvement over the Northern Ireland protocol and respects international law regarding territorial integrity.
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Assessment & feedback
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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.