Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the Government's level of preparedness within the automotive industry in September 2019 compared to March 2019; and what plans the Government has put in place to protect the automotive industry's just-in-time supply chain.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK automotive industry remains one of our great success stories, and we are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive after we leave the European Union. The Government is in regular dialogue with businesses in the automotive sector, including those in the supply chain.
We recognise that adapting to new regulatory requirements takes time, so the Government will provide continuity in goods regulation for a temporary period after exit day. If UK manufacturers, distributors and importers continue to meet EU requirements, their goods can still be placed on the EU market.
Since March 2019 the Government has updated technical notices on placing manufactured goods on the UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-uk-market-if-theres-no-brexit-deal#non-harmonised-goods and EU: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-eu-internal-market-if-theres-no-deal markets after Brexit. There also exists dedicated, tailored advice available for the automotive sector. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-automotive-sector-and-preparing-for-eu-exit
In the event of a no deal exit, tariffs will not apply to car parts. Furthermore, the Government will continue to apply zero tariffs to steel imports, ensuring the continuation of supply of a key material for UK automotive production.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to the findings of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Motor Industry Facts 2019 report that in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal 52.6 per cent of UK produced cars are exported to the EU, what steps the Government plans to take to support the automotive industry in the event that the UK leave the EU without a deal and exports of those cars are subject to a 10 per cent tariff in line with WTO rules.
Answered by James Duddridge
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when he plans to publish the findings of his Department's impact assessments relating to the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the UK video games industry.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Department for Exiting the European Union, working with officials across government, continues to undertake a wide range of analysis to support progress in the negotiations. However, this analysis is not, and nor has it ever been, a series of impact assessments examining the quantitative impact of Brexit on each sector.
The House has previously voted not to release information that would be prejudicial to our negotiating position. As the Written Ministerial Statement laid by the Department for Exiting the EU on 7 November made clear, it will take the Department, working with other departments, time to collate and bring together this information in a way that is accessible and informative for the Committee. The Government is committed to providing the information to the Committee as soon as is possible. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement, we expect this to be no more than three weeks.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which stakeholders the Government has consulted with as part of the Government's impact assessment relating to the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the UK video games industry; and what evidence the Government has gathered as part of that assessment.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government have committed to providing business and the wider public with as much information as possible without undermining the national interest. We are achieving this through regular engagement with businesses and stakeholders at both a ministerial and official level across Whitehall.
We have looked closely at the UK video games industry as part of our wider analysis. However, as I said in my opening remarks to the House on 1st November, the Government has not produced a series of sectoral impact assessments.
The Government remains committed to securing the best possible deal for the United Kingdom - a deal that works for all sectors of the UK economy. We have been engaging with businesses and industry bodies from all sectors of the economy and all regions of the UK in order to inform our negotiations with the EU.