Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with UK trade partners on protecting International Labour Organisation standards in future trade agreements.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
We share the public’s high regard for worker protections. That’s why, in line with our international obligations – including those under the International Labour Organisation – HM Government will continue to ensure a high level of protection for British labour standards in new trade agreements.
While the detail of free trade agreements are reserved for formal negotiations, HM Government has publicly committed to protecting labour standards in our outline approaches to Free Trade Agreements with the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Britain has been consistently clear in both our mandates and objectives that we will negotiate agreements that maintain our high standards for businesses, workers and consumers.
Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure the privatisation of NHS services is excluded from future trade agreements.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
As we set out in the negotiating objectives for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America, published on 2nd March 2020, the NHS will not be on the table. The price the NHS pays for drugs will not be on the table. The services the NHS provides will not be on the table.
The United Kingdom’s public services, including the NHS, are already protected by specific exclusions, exceptions and reservations in the trade agreements to which we are a party, and HM Government will continue to make sure that the same rigorous protections are included in future trade agreements.
Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to consult (a) industry representatives and (b) trades unions before concluding any future trade deals.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for International Trade is engaging widely with industry and civil society, including trade unions, to ensure our future trade policy works for the whole United Kingdom.
Through regular bilateral meetings, round tables and trade policy seminars we are able to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a broad range of stakeholders.
Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK trade and investment agreements protect human rights.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK has a strong history in protecting human rights. While we remain members of the EU, we will continue to support a trade liberalising agenda and the UK will participate constructively in EU decision making on trade issues, including on human rights requirements.
The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU.