Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library correspondence and records of discussions with the European Commission on an exemption for specialist hauliers to new limits on movements in the EU.

Our assessment is that the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) will allow for the majority of haulage operations that were being undertaken by UK hauliers before the end of the transition period.  However, UK operators will not be allowed to undertake more than 2 movements within the EU before returning to the UK.  These rules will also apply to specialist hauliers, such as hauliers who carry equipment for musicians and other performers.

Alternative arrangements for specialist hauliers were discussed in detail as part of negotiations, including specific proposals for liberalised access, but the EU was unwilling to agree more flexible arrangements. Unfortunately, we are not able to release the content of correspondence and records pertaining to the negotiation. These texts are confidential, and it is therefore not appropriate for them to be published.

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.