Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Greg Hands

Tuesday 12th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Greg Hands]

I think the hon. Lady is referring to the various EU agreements. She was a passionate campaigner —and, I think, still is—to remain in the EU. Of course, if we had remained we would still be in those trade agreements with the self-same countries that she mentioned, but we are clear that the UK will remain a strong voice for human rights and that more trade does not have to come at the expense of human rights, and we will continue to encourage all states to uphold international human rights obligations.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

16. What recent steps she has taken to support businesses trading internationally that are affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

[Julie Elliott (Sunderland Central) (Lab)]

17. What recent steps she has taken to support businesses trading internationally that are affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

[The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands)]

In response to covid-19, the Department continues to support UK businesses to trade. Office for National Statistics data states that 75.4% of businesses are continuing to trade.

[Vicky Foxcroft [V]]

For British companies that trade overseas, the one thing guaranteed to make a very bad situation even worse  would be the loss of free frictionless trade with the rest of the EU at the end of the year, so will the Minister reassure UK firms that the top priority when it comes to trade is securing the free trade agreement that we need with Europe?