Debates between Mohammad Yasin and Jesse Norman during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mohammad Yasin and Jesse Norman
Tuesday 27th April 2021

(3 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mohammad Yasin Portrait Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)
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What assessment he has made of the effect on small businesses of the requirement to complete customs paperwork for export to the EU.

Jesse Norman Portrait The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman)
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The Government have put in place a number of measures to facilitate trade with the EU, including publishing comprehensive guidance on the new arrangements. HMRC has produced step-by-step guides, videos and webinars for small businesses that may be new to customs processes. The Government have also provided a £20 million Brexit support fund to assist small and medium-sized businesses in adjusting to new customs procedures, questions of rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU.

Mohammad Yasin Portrait Mohammad Yasin [V]
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Just over a month ago, the Paymaster General told me that she would follow up on my invite to Bedfordshire chamber of commerce to hear the widespread concerns of businesses that are really struggling to overcome the new and complex operational challenges around her Government’s Brexit deal. I have heard nothing. Will the Minister attend a meeting with the chamber of commerce to hear about how customs paperwork is impacting viability, or would the Treasury also prefer to ignore the problem?

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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The Paymaster General is always happy to take inquiries from businesses, as am I, so if the hon. Member wishes to write to me, I am perfectly happy to respond to his questions.