UK-EU Trade

Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab) and Becky Gittins (Clwyd East) (Lab) asked the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander) about the steps his department is taking to improve the UK's trading relationship with the European Union. In his response, the Minister acknowledged that 47% of the UK's total trade is with the EU, and that improving trade is a central part of the government's ambition to reset the UK's relationship with Europe. He stated that ministers have been engaging positively with their EU and member state counterparts on trade issues. The government is seeking practical changes to ensure smoother trade between the UK and Europe, such as on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Addressing Helen Hayes' follow-up, the Minister confirmed that goods exports to the EU are still 11% lower than in 2019, before the Brexit agreement took effect. He recognised that there has been better performance on services than on goods, and stated that the government is determined to reset the UK's relationship with the EU more broadly, including by looking to achieve less friction for trade at the border. Responding to Becky Gittins, the Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by farmers in Clwyd East regarding trading barriers with the EU. He stated that these concerns are not limited to that constituency, and that as part of resetting the UK's relationship with the EU, the government is determined to tackle such barriers, including through the negotiation of a UK-EU veterinary agreement to help reduce unnecessary border checks. Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire) (Con) welcomed the Minister back to the House and the government front bench. He asked when the government will publish its negotiating objectives for scrutiny by the House, as demanded by the Select Committee and committed to by the previous government. The Minister thanked him for the welcome and stated that the government is carefully reviewing the open negotiating mandates inherited from the previous government, while also being keen to pursue a twin-track strategy of resetting the relationship with the EU and taking forward work on free trade agreements.