Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to reduce trade barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The Government is continuing to implement the commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, and the first meeting of Intertrade UK was held on 28 February 2025.

A key focus for Intertrade UK will be to promote the full extent of the UK’s market to businesses and traders and to help to counter any misconceptions or confusion businesses and traders in Great Britain may have about providing goods and services in Northern Ireland.

We are also committed to seeking a veterinary agreement with the EU for the whole of the UK, which could deliver tangible benefits for businesses across the UK and smooth flows of trade.