Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the effect on charges to patients of the introduction of tariffs on medical products such as adhesive removal sprays and the medical devices which require their use in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal; which other essential products will potentially be subject to such tariffs; and if she will make a statement.

Our ambition is to ensure there are no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions on trade in goods between the UK and the European Union (EU) at the end of the transition period through a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). We are currently in an intense phase of negotiations with the EU, and we are working hard to achieve that. We therefore do not expect the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) to apply to EU imports.

The UKGT will apply to UK imports from countries the UK does not have trading arrangements in place with. The Government has assessed all available evidence submitted as a part of the public consultation in depth, and in addition, conducted its own assessment to ensure the UKGT is robust and supportive of the UK’s economy. Government will publish more analysis in the Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) alongside the legislation, as is standard practice.