Evidence

The Commission conducts evidence-gathering sessions, site visits and other events to allow Commissioners to take evidence from small businesses and large, from trade experts and economists, from trade bodies and trade unions, to propose practical recommendations to the UK Government as they enter the TCA review, as well as making recommendations about existing and proposed trade deals with the rest of the world. We publish transcripts and videos of our full sessions here.

EU Best for Britain EU Best for Britain

After the Summit: Where next?

The UK Government is preparing for the upcoming UK-EU summit on 19 May, with a renewed focus on strengthening its trade relationship with the EU. However, while the UK’s core ambitions remain to enhance close business and trade ties, the mounting geopolitical tensions and  growing emphasis on security and defence cooperation, adds a new layer of urgency to these discussions.

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EU Best for Britain EU Best for Britain

Navigating the Next Phase of UK-EU Ties

The UK Government is preparing for the upcoming UK-EU summit on 19 May, with a renewed focus on strengthening its trade relationship with the EU. However, while the UK’s core ambitions remain to enhance close business and trade ties, the mounting geopolitical tensions and  growing emphasis on security and defence cooperation, adds a new layer of urgency to these discussions.

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EU Best for Britain EU Best for Britain

What can be achieved at the 19 May UK-EU Summit?

The UK Government is preparing for the upcoming UK-EU summit on 19 May, with a renewed focus on strengthening its trade relationship with the EU. However, while the UK’s core ambitions remain to enhance close business and trade ties, the mounting geopolitical tensions and  growing emphasis on security and defence cooperation, adds a new layer of urgency to these discussions.

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EU, Regulations, Legislation Guest User EU, Regulations, Legislation Guest User

Retained EU Law Bill

This session of the UK Trade and Business Commission analysed the EU Retained Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. As part of the session, the Commission interrogated the legislation and its implications - both in terms of business and trade and in terms of the UK’s constitution.

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EU, Travel, Regulations, Standards Guest User EU, Travel, Regulations, Standards Guest User

Music and travel industries

The UK Trade and Business Commission has taken evidence on several occasions on how staff shortages in the wake of Brexit are impacting different sectors of our economy. Ahead of summer recess, the Commission held this live evidence session to further understand these impacts and other aspects of the post-Brexit landscape.

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Government Action on the NI Protocol

Following reports that the UK Governments was planning to unilaterally revise parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, this live panel saw the Commission’s Co-convener Hilary Benn MP, Irish politician Neale Richmond and former Conservative MP David Gauke discuss the diplomatic and economic implications for the UK if it takes unilateral action.

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What is the FTA programme delivering so far?

The UK government had announced the completion of two entirely new Free Trade Agreements, with Australia and New Zealand by the time of this meeting, and there has been the suggestion it may complete others including joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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EU, Free Trade Agreements Guest User EU, Free Trade Agreements Guest User

The impact of new import checks

On 1st January 2022 exports between Great Britain and the European Union became subject to new import checks and wider customs controls as part of a staged control of new measures resulting from Brexit . These changes focus on both import and export checks and there are also temporary arrangements for movements from Ireland. Further changes were due to be introduced in July 2022.

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EU, USA, Northern Ireland Protocol Guest User EU, USA, Northern Ireland Protocol Guest User

The Northern Ireland Protocol in Practice

In this special evidence session, members of the UK Trade and Business Commission visited Belfast for its first in-person meeting. This meeting focused on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, hearing from representatives of the Northern Ireland business community about their experiences of operations since it came into force, interactions with those negotiating and implementing arrangements, and views on what needs to change.

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Protecting UK Manufacturing in a global supply chain

The UK is a major manufacturing power in the world, with particular strengths in cars, engineering products and aerospace among others. That these no longer employ such large numbers predominantly reflects higher productivity, and has been seen in all developed countries.

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EU, USA, Health, Science Research and Innovation, Regulations Best for Britain EU, USA, Health, Science Research and Innovation, Regulations Best for Britain

Regulatory Approaches: Pharmaceuticals, Medicines & Chemicals

Globally the main barriers to trade are no longer tariffs but differing regulations between countries. Exporters have to meet the varying requirements in different countries, which is likely to mean extra costs. However, countries may choose to vary regulations for many good domestic reasons, such as responding to consumer pressures or reduce the cost of domestic production. Finding a balance is difficult for all countries. For the UK, having just left the EU regulatory bloc, it presents a particular challenge.

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EU, Services, Skills, Science Research and Innovation Best for Britain EU, Services, Skills, Science Research and Innovation Best for Britain

Services: The Lion’s Share of the UK Economy (Including People, Talent & Skills)

The UK is a services trade superpower and the second largest exporter in the world at the time of this session. Its strengths are diverse, from educating international students to hosting film production, financing major infrastructure to supplying architects and skilled engineers to turn a plan to reality. These are delivered by companies of all sizes, including major multinationals, historic institutions like universities, small consultancy firms, and the self-employed.

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COP26: Updating Trade for the Climate Crisis

This session of the Trade and Business Commission looked at the transition to a green economy, and the role of trade policy in this ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, as these topics saw growing domestic and international attention.

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