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 potential effect on (a) GDP, (b) the balance of trade, (c) small business growth and (d) large business growth of the Government's policy on leaving the EU Customs Union.

The Government has been clear that the UK will leave the EU Customs Union when it leaves the EU.

As set out in our future partnership paper, in assessing the options for the UK's future customs relationship with the EU, we will be guided by three strategic objectives: ensuring UK-EU trade is as frictionless as possible; avoiding a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland; establishing an independent international trade policy. The future partnership paper set out two possible options to meet these objectives.

The Government is undertaking a wide range of continuing analysis in support of our EU exit negotiations and preparations. Our overall programme of work is comprehensive, thorough and is continuously updated.

We have been clear the Government will not provide an ongoing commentary on internal analytical work that is being carried out within Government.