EU Exit: End of Transition Period Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

EU Exit: End of Transition Period

Jacob Young Excerpts
Wednesday 23rd September 2020

(3 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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It is a good question from the hon. Gentleman. He has a distinguished background in the trade union movement and elsewhere in defending workers’ rights, and I pay tribute to him for his work in that area. Yes, we want to ensure that we protect workers’ rights. We will always look at what the EU and other jurisdictions are doing to see where we can match and, where possible, exceed the protections offered.

Jacob Young Portrait Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)
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I and many of my constituents want to see supertrawlers banned from destroying our marine wildlife and damaging our fishing towns, which is something that we cannot do while part of the EU. My right hon. Friend has long been committed to support our fisheries as we leave the EU, so will he confirm that after 31 December we will have the ability to stop foreign supertrawlers operating in our seas? At a time when our negotiations are at their fiercest, will he stand firm on our commitment to take back control of our waters?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right that one of the benefits of departing from the EU is that we can safeguard our marine environment from predators, and we will take all steps necessary to do so.