Brexit and trade: implications for Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 4 Mar 2020 Closed: 16 Feb 2021 Parliament page
The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry that will look into the implications of the UK-EU trade negotiations for Wales. Having paused this inquiry in April, to focus on COVID-19, the Committee has resumed this inquiry, written evidence submissions will be accepted until the autumn and oral evidence sessions … Read more
14 Recommendations
20 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
1 Letter
6 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
16 Feb
2021
Report published
11 Dec
2020
Report published
1 Dec
2020
Correspondence
19 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
5 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
8 Oct
2020
Oral evidence
1 Oct
2020
Oral evidence
17 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
3 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
19 Nov 2020
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Oral evidence
Jeremy Miles MS · Welsh Government
5 Nov 2020
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Rt Hon Greg Hands · Department of International Trade Rt Hon Simon Hart · Wales Office
8 Oct 2020
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Dr Kathryn Ringwald Wildman, Steel industry analyst Dr Richard Greville · Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Professor Peter Wells · Cardiff Business School
1 Oct 2020
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Andrew Harston · Associated British Ports Ian Davies · Stena Line Richard Ballantyne · British Ports Association Spencer Birns · Cardiff Airport
17 Sep 2020
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Oral evidence
Dr Ludivine Petetin · Cardiff University Prof Nicholas Perdikis · Aberystwyth University Prof Patrick Minford · Cardiff University Prof Sangeeta Khorana · Bournemouth University
3 Sep 2020
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Oral evidence
Mujtaba Rahman · Eurasia Group Sam Lowe · Centre for European Reform Shanker Singham · Competere
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report: Brexit and trade: implications for Wales HC 176 11 Dec 2020 34 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
13 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
We expect DIT to finalise governance arrangements by agreeing on a concordat by January 2021...
We expect DIT to finalise governance arrangements by agreeing on a concordat by January 2021 and recommend that other UK government departments consider using this as a model for strengthening their relationships with the devolved administrations.
Government Response
The government response details engagement and webinar events conducted by the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales, which does not address the recommendation for DIT to finalise governance arrangements or a concordat by January 2021.
Wales Office
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5 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
While we note that the UK Government has launched an extensive information campaign to warn...
While we note that the UK Government has launched an extensive information campaign to warn businesses of the need to prepare for new trading arrangements with the EU, we remain concerned that many Welsh businesses have either waited to see … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details funding and plans for new border infrastructure and inland facilities in Wales to meet future control requirements, but does not address the Committee's concern about Welsh businesses' awareness or preparedness for new trading arrangements.
Wales Office
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7 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
The EU is the main international export market for Welsh goods and agricultural produce, with...
The EU is the main international export market for Welsh goods and agricultural produce, with a higher proportion of goods from Wales exported to and imported from the EU compared to the rest of UK. Securing a trade deal with … Read more
Government Response
The government's response did not address the committee's observations about the importance of a zero-tariffs, zero-quotas trade deal with the EU for the Welsh economy, instead focusing on the Border Operating Model and inland border facilities.
Wales Office
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8 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
In contrast, a ‘No deal’ scenario would result in tariffs when exporting Welsh goods to...
In contrast, a ‘No deal’ scenario would result in tariffs when exporting Welsh goods to the EU. This could have a more negative effect on key sectors of the Welsh economy compared to the rest of the UK. We are … Read more
Government Response
The government's response describes campaigns and support initiatives for Welsh businesses adapting to new trading arrangements post-transition period, but does not directly address the committee's stated concerns about the impact of a hypothetical 'no-deal' scenario on the Welsh economy.
Wales Office
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10 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
Should there be a deal then we urge the UK Government to continue working with...
Should there be a deal then we urge the UK Government to continue working with the EU and business groups in 2021 to explore how non-tariff barriers and additional burdens and costs can be minimised for Welsh producers. For example, … Read more
Government Response
The government states it does not plan to publish Wales-specific impact assessments for trade agreements, referring to broader UK assessments, but does not address the recommendation to work on minimising non-tariff barriers or provide mitigation proposals for a no-deal scenario.
Wales Office
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11 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
We welcome the phased approach of the Border Operating Model, however we are concerned about...
We welcome the phased approach of the Border Operating Model, however we are concerned about the readiness of Welsh ports, and availability of infrastructure and capacity at or near ports, to deal with new customs processes from January 2021. We … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on promoting Welsh produce and securing new market access through FTAs, but does not address the committee's concerns about the readiness of Welsh ports, infrastructure capacity, or potential delays at Holyhead for new customs processes.
Wales Office
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12 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
The readiness of Welsh and UK ports for trade with the EU after the transition...
The readiness of Welsh and UK ports for trade with the EU after the transition phase is a major undertaking. The UK Government needs to provide reassurances that digital and physical infrastructure will be up and running in time and … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses ongoing trade talks with the US and efforts to facilitate lamb exports, completely failing to address the recommendation regarding the readiness of Welsh and UK ports for trade with the EU.
Wales Office
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13 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
We welcome the level of engagement between Welsh ports, HMRC and the Border Protocol Delivery...
We welcome the level of engagement between Welsh ports, HMRC and the Border Protocol Delivery Group. However, whether a deal is secured with the EU or not, we must accept that there will be friction at the borders. Congestion and … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses the Trade and Agriculture Commission and its engagement with Welsh agricultural stakeholders, failing to address the committee's observation about potential congestion and delays at Welsh ports and implications for logistics chains.
Wales Office
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14 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
The UK Government must redouble its efforts to work with business and port operators to...
The UK Government must redouble its efforts to work with business and port operators to provide confidence that the necessary systems and infrastructure will be in place, fully tested and functioning well in advance of July 2021. The UK Government … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses maintaining food safety standards and national sovereignty in trade agreements, but does not address the recommendation to redouble efforts on border infrastructure readiness or maintain ongoing dialogue with the EU.
Wales Office
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26 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
We welcome the signing of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the UK’s first free...
We welcome the signing of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the UK’s first free trade agreement as an independent trading nation. For decades Japanese firms have played a significant role in the Welsh economy and Japan is an important … Read more
Government Response
The government provided a generic introductory statement acknowledging the report and thanking the Committee, but did not specifically address the Committee's welcome of the UK-Japan trade agreement or the level of consultation.
Wales Office
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27 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
We urge the UK Government to maintain, and build upon, this approach as it negotiates...
We urge the UK Government to maintain, and build upon, this approach as it negotiates further FTAs. (Paragraph 114) Brexit and trade: implications for Wales 43
Government Response
The government provides a general opening statement acknowledging the report and stating it has considered the recommendations, but this response does not address the specific recommendation to maintain and build upon an approach for future FTAs.
Wales Office
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28 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
The official recognition of 15 Welsh products through protected geographical indicators in the UK-Japan FTA...
The official recognition of 15 Welsh products through protected geographical indicators in the UK-Japan FTA reinforces the importance of the agreement to Wales and will encourage further growth in Welsh agricultural exports to Japan.
Government Response
The government's response was a boilerplate acknowledgement of the committee's report and did not address the specific conclusion about the positive impact of protected geographical indicators for Welsh products in the UK-Japan FTA.
Wales Office
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29 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report: Brexit and trade: impl…
We note the progress of trade negotiations with the USA.
We note the progress of trade negotiations with the USA. However, it is unclear what the change in administration will mean for the continued progress of these negotiations.
Government Response
The government provided a general introductory statement for the report response and did not address the committee's specific observation about US trade negotiations.
Wales Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 34 of 14 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Not Addressed 13
Rejected 2
Total 14 recs + 20 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
1 Dec 2020 Follow-up written evidence from the Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, re the Committee's Brexit and trade: implications for Wales inquiry, 27 November 20
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