Weekly Update on Brexit Negotiations: week commencing 2 November 2020

With 59 days till the end of the transition period, UK-EU trade talks have resumed in London, with Michel Barnier confirming that the EU would “intensify discussions” on all issues and start work on legal texts. Both sides have jointly agreed a set of principles for handling this phase of talks and the negotiations are set to reconvene in Brussels this week.

The UK has completed its first post-Brexit trade deal after signing an agreement with Japan. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) largely replicates the existing EU-Japan deal, but has an extra chapter on digital trade and new provisions on agricultural exports.

Monday 2 November

MPs will consider a couple of Brexit-related statutory instruments which need to be in place by the end of the transition in relation to nutrition policy and agricultural payments.

In the House of Lords, the UK Internal Market Bill will have its third day of Committee stage scrutiny.  Notably, the UK Internal Market Bill 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.

Tuesday 3 November

On the Committee corridor two statutory instruments will be debated:

• The Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee will consider a statutory instrument to ensure EU State aid law does not form part of UK domestic law unless related to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• The Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee will consider a statutory Instrument to align product standards and packaging requirements on tobacco and nicotine inhaling products with the EU as stipulated in the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Lords EU Security and Justice Sub-Committee will hold an evidence session on post-Brexit police cooperation with the former head of Europol, Sir Robin Wainwright and the current UK Law enforcement lead for Brexit and Criminality in the Metropolitan Police, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin.

Also, in the House of Lords, Peers will consider regulations related to post-transition policy on environment and wildlife, pesticides, organic pollutants and electricity risk-preparedness.

Wednesday 4 November

MPs will consider Lords’ amendments to the Agriculture Bill and the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill focusing on two amendments relating to safeguarding UK Food Standards in the Agriculture Bill and family asylum claims for the Immigration Bill.

Whereas on the Commons Committee corridor:

• The Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee will debate a statutory instrument to amend UK competition law so UK competition authorities can continue to support ongoing EU competition cases after the transition period.
• The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will continue its inquiry into Cross-Border co-operation on policing, security and criminal justice after Brexit.  The Committee will hear from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the National Crime Agency and HMRC.
• The Home Affairs Committee will question Kevin Foster MP, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, on the Government’s post-transition immigration policy.
• The Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee will debate a statutory instrument to address reciprocal healthcare in the UK after the transition period.
• The International Trade Committee will question the International Trade Secretary, Elizabeth Truss MP, on the new UK-Japan trade deal.

Thursday 5 November

• The Welsh Affairs Committee will conclude their inquiry into the implications of UK-EU trade negotiations for Wales.
• The Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee will debate a statutory instrument related to the implementation of counter-terrorism sanctions after the transition period.

Looking ahead

• 10-11 December: Final European meeting of the year
• 10-11 December: Final European plenary session of the year
• 31 December: Date in law for the end of the transition period