Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of any backstop period, when the UK remained part of the Customs Union after leaving the EU, on the UK’s ability to negotiate trade deals with foreign countries.

The UK and EU agreed at the March European Council that we will be able to negotiate, sign and ratify new trade agreements with old friends — and new allies — around the globe from the day of our exit from the EU and at the start of the implementation period. The Department for International Trade's priority for now is to be in a position to begin formal negotiations with key partners immediately after we leave the EU. The backstop solution put forward by the EU is not acceptable and that’s why the UK will be bringing forward its own proposal. We want to make progress as soon as possible.