UK-US Trade

Debate between Baroness Gustafsson and Lord Forsyth of Drumlean

Monday 12th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

What we see in this relationship with the US is an opportunity to think about the opportunity it presents to all our British industries and how we can open that up to best effect. When we think about farming, the key area of the trade in beef is a real opportunity here. For the first time, the US ban on importing British beef has been lifted, and 13,000 tonnes of British beef can now be exported to the US. That is a real advantage for UK farming.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

My Lords, it is delightful to hear the Minister extolling the real opportunity that comes from a future deal with the United States. Last week I asked the Front Bench to confirm that none of this would be possible if we were still in the European Union. I was told that was a matter of opinion. Can the Minister confirm that this is a fact?

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

I will offer up that I agree that that would be a matter of opinion.

EU Law

Debate between Baroness Gustafsson and Lord Forsyth of Drumlean

Tuesday 28th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. That is something that we are willing to discuss.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

My Lords, given the welcome statement by the Chancellor on financial regulation, and given that the European regulations, which were subject to some democratic control before, are now being placed in the hands of the regulators, what plans do the Government have to give direction to the regulators as to how they might be made accountable for the implementation of these as part of the Government’s growth agenda?

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for the question. The Government are committed to driving economic growth and working hand in hand with the regulators to make sure that that growth can be achieved in a sustainable way that is fair to all markets and ultimately beneficiary to consumers. The Government are committed to maintaining the independence of those regulators, but we work with them to provide an overall strategic steer on the directions and priorities they should be working towards so that they can work hand in hand with us and our priorities around growth.