Post Brexit: Small Service Businesses

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown Excerpts

Monday 24th May 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

The noble Lord makes a good point. This is a complicated area. We are upgrading existing GOV.UK guidance on the immigration systems of EU and EFTA member states to help businesses adjust to the new requirements. The first tranche of these guides is available now, and from 1 January 2021, for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, UK nationals will not need a visa when travelling to and within the Schengen area to undertake a limited range of activities.

[Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (DUP) [V]]

Now that a free trade agreement with the EU is in place that enables the selling of equipment into Europe, what discussions have been held that would aid the removal of the 90-day restriction that is an impediment to UK experts being able to service the equipment or machinery that has been sold?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I understand the noble Lord’s concerns but we have reached a balanced deal with the EU similar to the EU’s agreements with Canada and Japan, and the TCA is the basis of our agreement, so I am sorry to tell him that this will not be renegotiated.