Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last held discussions with his EU counterparts on an exemption for specialist hauliers to new limits on movements in the EU.

The Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and the EU sets out the rules which apply to the international movement of goods.

Although the agreement provides for the vast majority of haulage operations that were being undertaken by UK hauliers before the end of the transition period, UK operators will not be allowed to undertake more than 2 movements within the EU before returning to the UK. These rules also apply to specialist hauliers, such as hauliers who carry equipment for musicians and other performers.

Specific arrangements for the specialist haulage sector were discussed in detail as part of negotiations, but the EU was unwilling to agree more flexible arrangements as of now.

The Department for Transport is in regular contact with the road haulage industry and is working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to support the creative industries sector.