Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Graham Stuart and Edward Timpson

Thursday 15th July 2021 Commons Chamber

[Edward Timpson (Eddisbury) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government’s ambitious strategy for growing exports needs to include more agricultural councils in our embassies, a UK export council to help co-ordinate that strategy, and better promotion and marketing of brand Britain abroad so that we can ensure that farming and food companies in Eddisbury and right across the country can embrace the undoubted benefits and opportunities that UK free trade deals can deliver?

[Graham Stuart]

My hon. Friend cleverly tempts me to list the recommendations of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, which constructively seeks to improve our support for UK farmers. We look forward to responding to that as soon as possible.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Graham Stuart and Edward Timpson

Thursday 19th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have been working flat out to engage with businesses, to provide easements on the customs regime up to July next year and to make sure that we minimise the challenges as we end the transition period. Of course, the issue that Scottish businesses raise with me is that the biggest threat to their trade is not any friction as we move to the new settlement on the EU border, but the fact that 60% of all Scottish exports go to England, Wales and Northern Ireland—more than to the rest of the world combined. It is that, and the threat that the hon. Gentleman poses to Scottish business in that way, that really worries them for the long term.

[Edward Timpson (Eddisbury) (Con)]

What steps her Department is taking to consult (a) trade unions and (b) civil society organisations on the development of trade policy.