Trade Negotiations

Debate between Baroness Gustafsson and Baroness Falkner of Margravine

Tuesday 13th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that question. This free trade agreement presents a selection of opportunities for trade between India and Northern Ireland, but it is not the only one. We will be working closely with the devolved Governments to think about those opportunities and build on them collaboratively. In my particular area, investment, we are working closely with those Governments to understand what those trade and investment opportunities are and how we, as that central Government, amplify some of them. When I travel the world, I talk to investors and share opportunities not just within a mile’s radius of where we stand today but across the UK, so that benefit can be felt throughout.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)]

My Lords—

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[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

To provide some reassurance, there is no change in the visa process. The points-based immigration system is not affected, so there is no change in the various routes for visa applications as a consequence of this deal. In those limited instances where detached workers are employed by an Indian company on a short-term contract within the UK, they will not be paying social security contributions in both situations. This will not in any way change the immigration policy around visa applications; that will be consistent with the current processes to ensure that any visas granted are applied and people are understood to be in the country legally. Where they are not, the procedures will be as normal.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, but I am speaking in a personal capacity today. I have not heard the Minister explain whether, in following the usual processes, the Government will publish a human rights assessment and the other impact assessments mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed, in advance of the debate in this House. On a slightly different point, in the projections and the wonderful figures that her modelling paints for a future some decades out, have the Government taken into account the long-term impact of geostrategic instability in south Asia, which we are witnessing as we speak?

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

In terms of the process and the timing of the impact statement, negotiations have concluded so we are in the final stages to get the treaty signed; it will happen as quickly as possible— I hope in the coming months. There will be a process for CRaG, and it will be discussed at parliamentary level. A full impact statement will be released, as well as the full trade agreement, on signature, so that should be available shortly. The human rights aspect is subject to an ongoing conversation and will be dealt with separately.