Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Neale Hanvey

Thursday 29th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (Alba)]

8. What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of the UK’s withdrawal from the European single market on business and trade.

[The Minister for Industry and Economic Security (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Having regained our regulatory sovereignty now that we have left the European Union, we are now able to ensure that our regulation is tailored to the UK economy, supports our businesses and protects our consumers. Having left the single market, we can focus on UK trade with the world, where total trade is up 24%, so the answer to his question is that the effect is that total trade is up.

[Neale Hanvey]

Resilient and effective routes to market are essential for trade. The congestion that is currently being experienced at Dover is a significant barrier to effective trade. We can add to that the HGV miles from Scotland to the south-east and the impact on the quantities carried, on perishables and on costs, never mind the environmental impact. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we reintroduce direct links from Scotland to mainland Europe and ensure trade is friction-free from Scotland?

[Ms Ghani]

I do not think the hon. Member heard my answer: trade is up. The reality is that this scaremongering just has to stop. The scaremongering is basically a cover for petty nationalism, and I would ask him to be passionate about the market that matters, which is between Scotland and England.

[Neale Hanvey]

rose—

[Ms Ghani]

If the hon. Member was passionate about Scottish businesses and Scottish jobs, he would be passionate about the single market that matters.