Weekly Update on Brexit Negotiations: week commencing 12 October 2020

Recap on last week

The Government published guidance for businesses and passengers crossing the border from 1 January 2021.  Within the guidance are plans to build up to 10 inland border sites near Birmingham, Warrington, Ashford and Epping Forest to relieve congestion at ports in Dover and Liverpool.

The government introduced secondary legislation defining how goods present or processed in Northern Ireland will qualify for unrestricted access to Great Britain.

Weekly Update on Brexit Negotiations week commencing 12 October 2020

15 October 2020 – the deadline by which a deal between and UK and EU should be concluded claimed the PM in September.

The much-anticipated European Council Meeting is set to take place on Thursday, when EU leaders will review the future relationship negotiations and discuss preparation for all scenarios after 1 January 2021.

After four months of debate in the House of Lords the Bill has a number of significant amendments, most notably powers to prevent imports that do not meet UK production and welfare standards.

Monday 12 October

MPs will consider the House of Lords amendments to the Agriculture Bill, the legislation which will replace the Common Agricultural Policy and a new framework for farming subsidies.  MPs have a series of amendments to vote on including powers to safeguard UK food standards, climate change targets, pesticides and a national food strategy.

In the House of Lords, Peers will debate the third reading of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill.

Tuesday 13 October

The Treasury Committee will continue its inquiry into UK Customs Policy post-Brexit, taking evidence from Cabinet Office Minister for Efficiency, Lord Agnew and officials from HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs, click here.

In the House of Lords, the Trade Bill will face its fifth day of Committee scrutiny.

Wednesday 14 October

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will hear from business representatives, academics and Belfast City Council concerning the Government’s proposals to replace existing EU funding with a UK Shared Prosperity Fund come the end of transition.

Also, the Transport Committee will hold a one-off session on post-Brexit freight transport and the Government’s plans to manage traffic congestion at the border.

Thursday 15 October

The Welsh Affairs Committee will hold a one-off session with constitutional academics looking into the implications of the Internal Market Bill for Wales.

Also, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee will take evidence from the UK Emissions Trading System Common Framework.  This will establish a UK-wide future carbon pricing policy come the end of the transition period.

Looking ahead

• 15-16 October: European Council Meeting
• 23 October: House of Commons rises for the November recess
• 2 November: House of Commons returns from the November recess
• 31 December: Date in law for the end of the transition period