Here we go again…

With 45 days to go until the end of the transition period, we are in much the same position as last week and the week before that.

UK-EU trade talks are ongoing. Level-playing field provisions and fisheries remain the main obstacles to a deal.

Monday 16 November

The week will kick off with a debate on an E-petition calling for the NHS to be omitted from any future trade deal with the United States.

In the House of Lords, the EU Goods Sub-Committee will hear evidence from port and Channel Tunnel operators on what preparations they are making for the end of the transition period.

Tuesday 17 November

• The Public Bill Committee scrutinising the Government’s Environment Bill will meet again and further meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks.
• The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will question DEFRA Minister Victoria Prentis and Home Office Minister Kevin Foster on the impact of the Government’s points-based immigration system on labour in the food supply chain post-transition.
• The EU Security and Justice Sub-Committee will host a session on current EU police arrangements and what should replace them post-transition on the island of Ireland.
• The Lords Common Frameworks Committee will hear from constitutional academics on the impact of post-Brexit common frameworks. This follows their session last week with ministers from the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

Wednesday 18 November

On the Commons Committee corridor:

• MPs on the fifth and seventh Delegated Legislation Committees will consider EU Exit regulations concerning law enforcement and fisheries.
• The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and the Committee on the Future Relationship Committee will both host separate sessions on post-transition preparations in Northern Ireland. NIAC will take evidence on cross-border security cooperation while CFREU will focus on business preparations.
• The Home Affairs Committee will continue its inquiry into Channel crossings, migration and asylum-seeking routes through the EU, while the International Trade Committee will quiz Government trade adviser and former Australian PM Tony Abbott on UK trade policy.
• The Scottish Affairs Committee will hear from academics and UK Government Ministers on the implications of the UK Internal Market Bill.

In the House Lords, Peers will begin Report Stage consideration of the UK Internal Market Bill. Having removed the Bill’s contentious provisions on the Northern Ireland protocol during Committee stage last week, Peers will now vote on amendments related to the Bill’s powers to police and maintain the UK’s internal market. Further debates are scheduled for next week.

Thursday 19 November

In the House of Commons:

• The Welsh Affairs Committee will quiz the Welsh Government’s Minister for EU Transition, Jeremy Miles on the implications of the UK-EU trade negotiations for Wales.
• The Public Bill Committee will further scrutinise the Environment Bill.

Looking ahead

• 19 November: Virtual European Council Meeting
• 23-26 November: Penultimate European Parliament plenary session
• 10-11 December: Final European meeting of the year
• 14-17 December: Final European plenary session of the year
• 31 December: Date in law for the end of the transition period