Oral Answers to Questions

Becky Gittins Excerpts

Thursday 5th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab)]

6. What steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s trading relationship with the EU.

[Becky Gittins (Clwyd East) (Lab)]

13. What steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s trading relationship with the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Alexander]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question and her observation on the character of trade in recent years. There has been better performance on services than on goods, but she is absolutely right to recognise the fall in goods trade with the European Union. Overall trade since 2018 has essentially flatlined. That is why the Government are determined to reset our relationship with the European Union more broadly. Within that broader objective, we will look specifically at the border in order to achieve less friction for trade.

[Becky Gittins]

Farmers in Clwyd East continue to raise concerns with me about trading barriers with the EU. They feel that the current arrangements disadvantage them, and that not enough has been done since we left the EU to facilitate trade between British farmers and EU countries. Will the Minister outline what steps his Department is taking to remove those barriers and get a better deal for the farming community of Clwyd East?

[Mr Alexander]

My hon. Friend is already establishing herself as a powerful voice for all constituency interests in Clwyd East. Alas, the concerns that she raises are not limited to that constituency. That is why, as part of the broader resetting of our relationship with the European Union, we are determined to tackle barriers to trade such as those she describes in relation to farmers, including through the negotiation of a UK-EU veterinary agreement that will help to reduce unnecessary border checks.