Weekly Update on Brexit Negotiations: week commencing 5 October 2020

The Prime Minister and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for post-Brexit trade talks to intensify following an end to formal talks in Brussels last week.  Lord Frost and Michel Barnier insist there had been positive progress in a number of areas and terms of an agreement were starting to emerge.

Some obstacles yet remain:

• there are disagreements on the level playing field, fisheries and governance
• the EU Commission launched legal proceedings against the UK Government because it made amendments to the Internal Market Bill concerning the Northern Ireland Protocol

Monday 5 October

The European Scrutiny Committee will question the Government’s deputy representative Penny Mordaunt MP on the EU/UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on:

• the work of the Joint Committee and the decisions it has to take before the end of the year to ensure the smooth functioning of the Northern Ireland Protocol;
• the implications of the Internal Market Bill for the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol; and
• the need for continued parliamentary scrutiny of UK-EU relations after the transition period.

Peers will debate the second day of report stage consideration on the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill.

Tuesday 6 October

In the House of Lords, Peers will scrutinise further the Government’s Trade Bill.

Wednesday 7 October

 The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will continue its inquiry into cross-border co-operation on policing, security and criminal justice between the UK and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.

The EU Environment Sub-Committee will take evidence from representatives of chemicals industry organisations and specialists on the UK’s preparedness to regulate chemical industry post-Brexit.

The International Trade Committee will hear from local businesses representatives and the automotive industry as part of its long running inquiry into the introduction UK Freeports post-Brexit.

Michael Gove and Lord Frost are set to give evidence to the Lords European Union Committee and then the Commons Future Relationship Committee, on the state of play following the conclusion of the ninth round of talks on the UK-EU future relationship.

Lastly, Scottish and Welsh Governments will debate whether they wish to grant legislative consent to the UK Government’s Internal Market Bill, click here.

Thursday 8 October

Whilst MPs will question the International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, on the UK’s progress negotiating future trade agreements, Peers will further scrutinise the Trade Bill.

The Welsh Affairs Committee will also continue its on-going inquiry into the implications of UK-EU trade negotiations for Wales, which will involve taking evidence from representatives of the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.

The Public Accounts Committee will hold a special evidence session with officials from the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury on Whitehall preparations for 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