Wrexham MP welcomes UK Government's trade deal with the EU
MP for Wrexham
I welcome the UK Government's trade deal with the EU as announced last week.
The EU is our biggest trading partner, and this deal helps to right the many wrongs of the previous government.
When Labour was elected, we said that we would reduce barriers to trade and economic growth, and we meant it.
The UK Government is respecting the decision made by the British people in 2016 and whilst there is no return to the EU, this deal make things easier for businesses as well as people in day-to-day life.
Before I was elected as MP for Wrexham, and since, different businesses both large and small, locally and regionally, have told me time and time again how the Conservative Government's Brexit deal had made their daily experience as a business more challenging: more expensive, more difficult, more barriers, higher costs.
This had led to some being forced to close due to the higher costs and increased bureaucracy.
We have all seen the impact on our own pockets with food prices rising and hospitality businesses struggling as well as those who previously exported to the EU.
The deal includes:
· Making it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported by reducing the red tape. This agreement will have no time limit, giving vital certainty to businesses.
· Some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely.
· Closer co-operation on emissions through linking our respective Emissions Trading System.
· British steel exports are protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, through a bespoke arrangement for the UK.
· British holidaymakers will be able to use more eGates in Europe.
· Introduction of 'pet passports' for UK cats and dogs.
· The EU-UK security and defence partnership means that British firms will be treated as European, so can benefit from defence procurement.
I welcome the agreement to explore access to Erasmus + as well as a Youth Mobility scheme; it is important that young people have access to opportunities that previous generations enjoyed and were denied to them for too long.
Co-operation on defence is also part of the deal.
The EU and the UK share the same challenging security environment, and both have vital interests in the peace, security and stability of Europe and beyond.
As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or Andrew.Ranger.mp@parliament.uk
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