Weekly Update on UK-EU Relationship: week commencing 25 January 2021

This week, the Government’s landmark Environment Bill will return to the Commons for debate on its remaining stages.  Committees will continue analysing the implications of the new UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement with nine evidence sessions, the most notable will be with the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who will be quizzed on future UK aid policy by the International Development Committee.

The Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union on future scrutiny of UK-EU relations has now expired.

In its final report, the committee concluded that the time is right to change the way Parliament scrutinises European Affairs. It recommended:

• the Government make a statement in the House after each meeting of the new UK-EU Partnership Council;
• the Liaison Committee have access to papers relating to crucial UK-EU meetings and be able to recommend areas of oversight of EU-UK relations to individual select committees;
• a new framework for interparliamentary relations; and
• the establishment of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly provided for in the UK-EU TCA.

Monday 25 January

The EU Goods Sub-Committee will continue their inquiry into future UK-EU trade in goods.  After hearing from Dentons, Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP last week, Peers will question representatives from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Food and Drink Federation and Make UK.

Tuesday 26 January

The International Development Committee will question Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary, on the future of UK aid policy outside the EU.

The House of Lords, Peers on the Security and Justice sub-Committee will hear from UK Border Force, the National Crime Agency and the National Police Chief’s Council on future UK-EU Security cooperation. The Commons Framework Scrutiny Committee will hear from university academics and the Institute for Government concerning the Government’s framework programme.

The Environment Bill will dominate proceedings with the first day of Report Stage consideration in the House of Commons.

Wednesday 27 January

• The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will take evidence from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the National Crime Agency and the Border Force on Cross-border co-operation on policing and security and criminal justice.
• The Lords Environment sub-committee will hear from health representatives and Edward Argar MP, Minister of State for the Department for Health and Social Care, on the implications of the UK-EU TCA on the healthcare sector.
• The Treasury Committee will continue its inquiry into the future of UK Financial Services.
• The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will continue questioning the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis MP.

Thursday 28 January

The House of Lords will question on the impact of the post-Brexit trade deal on musicians seeking to tour in the EU and the implementation of the UK-EU Joint Political Declaration on Asylum and Returns.  They will also review the Second Reading of the Financial Services Bill, which aims to improve the UK’s regulatory system for financial services following the end of the Brexit transition period.

The EU Services sub-Committee will take evidence from the Law Society of England And Wales, techUK and academics on future UK-EU trade in services.

Key Dates for 2021

• 28 February: European Commission imposed deadline for when the European Parliament will have consented to the UK-EU TCA.  This date can be extended by a decision from the EU-UK Partnership Council.
• 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.
• 30 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.