Oral Answers to Questions

Adrian Bailey Excerpts

Tuesday 18th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

At 84.4%, the employment rate in Northampton South is the 17th highest of all 632 constituencies across Great Britain. There were 3,000 more people in work in Northampton South over the past year alone, and 4,000 more than in 2010.

[Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op)]

23. What assessment his Department has made of the potential economic effect of alternative trade agreements after the UK has left the EU.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jane Ellison)]

As the Chancellor mentioned, the Government have undertaken a significant amount of work to assess the economic impacts of leaving the EU. It is part of our continuing programme of rigorous and extensive analytical work, covering a range of scenarios, as the hon. Gentleman would expect, sector by sector.

[Mr Bailey]

Small businesses manufacturing car components in my constituency are hugely concerned that, post-Brexit, this country may have to revert to the World Trade Organisation agreements, which would mean increased tariff costs and further regulation, and could have an impact on the viability of the booming motor industry. What assessment has the Chancellor made of that impact?

[Jane Ellison]

Treasury Ministers, and indeed Ministers right across government, are speaking to individual businesses and sectors all the time to understand their concerns about issues of this sort. Obviously, we are seeking the best possible deal for the UK, and all the work being done reflects that, including in respect of understanding how we can respond to those concerns and get a great deal.