Weekly Update on Brexit Negotiations week commencing 19 October 2020

Following the much-anticipated European Council Meeting, which took place in Brussels last Thursday, a no trade deal scenario is becoming more apparent.  Whilst the Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused the EU of refusing to negotiate seriously and to offer the UK a Canadian style deal, the EU concluded that it was the UK’s responsibility to make the necessary moves to make an agreement possible.  As neither party has pulled out, the negotiations are set to continue over the coming weeks to see if progress can be made before the end of the month.

Monday 19 October

In the House of Lords, the second reading debate on the contentious UK Internal Market Bill, which gives Ministers powers to unilaterally re-interpret and disapply parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, in contravention of the Government’s obligations in international law, is set to take place.   In advance, the Lords library have produced a must-read briefing on the Bill and the main changes proposed in the Commons.

Tuesday 20 October

The Legislation Committee will debate a Government statutory instrument related to the regulation of information society services come the end of the Transition Period.

The House of Lords will hold another day’s debate on the second reading of the UK Internal Market Bill and consider Commons amendments to the Agriculture Bill.  This follows MPs decision last week to reject 7 Lords amendments to the Bill.

The Commons Committee on the Future Relationship will publish their second report of the Parliament.

Wednesday 21 October  

The Committee on the Future Relationship will hear evidence from across the private financial sector, as the sector prepares for the end of the Transition Period.  Answering the questions will be representatives from PwC, UK Finance and techUK.

MPs on the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee will debate a Government statutory instrument to ensure previous criminal convictions in EU Member States are taken into account in future UK court cases.

The International Agreements Sub-Committee will take evidence from the High Commissioner for Australia on current UK-Australia trade negotiations.

The House of Lords will question Ministers on their progress in seeking a reciprocal agreement with the EU on visa-free short-term travel once the transition period comes to an end.  This will be followed by the consideration of Commons amendments to the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill if MPs reject the Lords’ amendments on Monday.

Thursday 22 October

The EU Services Sub-Committee will launch a new inquiry into future UK-EU cooperation in research and education.  Peers will hear from representatives from Universities UK and the Royal Society.

The EU Environment Sub-Committee will continue its on-going inquiry into UK chemicals regulation post-Brexit, with DEFRA Minister Rebecca Pow MP set to give evidence on the Government’s expectations for any UK-EU chemicals arrangement.  This follows the Committee’s decision last week to write to Ministers highlighting concern about the Government’s plans for chemical regulation come the end of the Transition Period.

Looking ahead

• 23 October: House of Commons November recess
• 2 November: House of Commons returns from the November recess
• 14-17 December: Final European plenary session of the year
• 31 December: Date in law for the end of the transition period