Weekly Update on UK-EU Relationship: week commencing 18 January 2021

This week sees the end of the Commons Committee on the Future Relationship.  The Committee will publish its fifth and final report on Thursday laying out proposals for future parliamentary scrutiny of UK-EU relations.

Monday 18 January

The House of Lords, the Government’s Trade Bill will have its third reading.

The EU Goods Sub-Committee will continue their inquiry into the future trade of goods between the UK and EU. The Committee will hear evidence from Dentons, Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP.

Tuesday 19 January

Following Monday’s third reading, the Trade Bill will return to the House of Commons for consideration of Lords amendments.

The Lords Committees will be exploring the future implications of the new UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement:

• The EU  the EU Security and Justice Sub-Committee will question Foreign and Commonwealth Development Minister, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on how the Government intends to cooperate with the EU in the future on foreign policy and international development
• The European Union Committee will hear from the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo QC, in relation to the UK-Spain agreement on Gibraltar.

Wednesday 20 January

• The Lords EU Environment Sub-Committee will take evidence from food representatives & veterinary experts on future UK-EU relations on energy, environment and health policy.
• Northern Ireland Assembly Infrastructure Committee will hear from retail and logistic representatives concerning post-Brexit issues facing the freight and haulage sector.
• The Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis MP will be questioned by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the implications of Brexit for Great Britain-Northern Ireland trade and cross-border security.

Thursday 21 January

The Commons Committee on the Future Relationship will publish its final report setting out proposals for future parliamentary scrutiny of UK-EU relationships.

The EU Services Sub-Committee will launch its new inquiry into the future of UK-EU trade in services. This will explore the impact for trade in services of the UK and EU reaching a free trade agreement and how the agreement could be expanded on in the future.

The Public Accounts Committee will be holding a follow-up evidence session on how the UK’s new post-Brexit border arrangements are working. Members will question officials from HMRC, Department for Transport, the Cabinet Office and the Border Force.

Key Dates for 2021

• 28 February: European Commission imposed deadline for when the European Parliament will have consented to the UK-EU TCA.
• 31 March: Date by which the UK & EU aim to have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for regulatory cooperation on financial services.
• 1 April: end of grace period for UK supermarkets and trusted suppliers in relation to food safety paperwork when moving agri-food goods between the Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• 31 June: End of temporary bridging period for the free flow of data from the UK to the EU.
• 1 July: End of 6-month grace period for Great Britain & Northern Ireland trade on chilled meat products.
• 31 December: End of 12-month adaptation period for Great Britain businesses to implement new EU regulation in relation to the flow of medicines to Northern Ireland.