Oral Answers to Questions

Jeff Smith Excerpts

Thursday 25th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

What steps he is taking to support businesses subject to non-tariff barriers to trade with the EU.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

What steps he is taking to support businesses subject to non-tariff barriers to trade with the EU.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

What recent progress he has made on securing frictionless access for UK goods to the EU; and if he will make a statement.

--- Later in debate ---

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that offer. I am always happy to meet businesses. My noble Friend Lord Frost and I are looking at ways that we can gather information more swiftly and in real time from businesses that are facing difficulties. I would be very happy to follow up with the hon. Gentleman after this session.

[Jeff Smith]

Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton tells me that

“the notion that no tariffs means no problem is not the case at all. We still have to deal with agent fees, phytosanitary certificates and organic certificates. The admin fees are the same whether it’s a box of broccoli or a pallet of broccoli.”

These barriers are going to cost Unicorn £170,000 a year. What are the Government going to do to reduce the administrative burden, or support the small businesses that are disproportionately affected?

[Penny Mordaunt]

We have already provided financial support to compensate sectors that are suffering particular issues. We have also put in place a framework whereby we are able to work through these problems. While we do that, we are obviously looking at what we can do to mitigate and reduce prospective burdens that other businesses might be facing, such as stretching out the timetable by which people would have to comply with other rules and regulations. Again, I would be very happy to look at any specific cases, and that offer is to all Members.