Craftspeople: European Union Travel and Trade

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts

Monday 13th May 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. We have a trade and co-operation agreement. In fact, our Brexit deal was one of the most progressive trade deals we had at the time of Brexit, which has been capitalised upon now, to 73 countries comprising 60% of global trade. Therefore, we have no tariffs and quotas for UK-EU goods trade. The Government’s aim is to maximise and make the best of that. The British people voted for Brexit to release the benefits of Brexit, which are increasingly coming through in our economy and trade. There are some costs to be borne along the way.

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)]

My Lords, could the Minister explain to the House how it is that you do a deal with the EU on a state-by-state basis?

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

I refer the noble Lord to my colleague in the other place, Greg Hands MP, who is the Minister for Europe. He is spending an increasing amount of time in European capitals. We also have 300 embassy staff working in the EU on deal-by-deal arrangements with countries to help, for example, our musicians and crafts folk. It is working very well.