This week trade negotiations potentially enter their final phase as they continue at an intense schedule. The October deadline is passing but talks are scheduled for next week. Meanwhile the Internal Market Bill continues to cause problems for the UK Government. We outline upcoming events and as usual we have recommended reading for your Friday.
Working Weekends
Last week ended with a statement from the Prime Minister threatening to walk away from trade talks and embracing a No-Deal Brexit, or as he calls it an ‘Australia style deal’. However, in a familiar turn of the Brexit roller coaster, talks have now resumed at an intensified level. Meanwhile, the Chancellor has cancelled the Comprehensive Spending Review leading to further uncertainty to the future of replacement of EU funds with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Our podcast this week focuses on the Shared Prosperity Fund and experts explain why it is important, what is happening, and what you can do about it. We have highlighted events and as usual our recommended reading for you.
You Are What You Trade.
This week the Government voted against Lords amendments that would require the UK’s current food standards to be maintained in trade deals, leaving them at risk. There is a new report out by the Public Law Project detailing how delegated legislation has been used during the Brexit process. Their findings include the use of statutory instruments increased; which were longer, and contained more mistakes. We also look at key events next week, including what's happening in Parliament. As usual we have recommended reading for your Friday.
Nothing Is Off The Table.
Should food standards be taken off the table in trade negotiations? Lords, and many MPs think it should whereas Downing Street thinks it should not. The Agriculture Bill returns next week and there could be a Conservative rebellion. Do you have questions about trade deals? Do they seem abstract, complex, and all about tariffs? Our new podcast on trade deals has experts clearly explaining how they impact food standards, and how the parliamentary process works. As usual we look at key parliamentary dates and events ahead, and recommend reading for your Friday.
I'll see EU in court!
The EU have started legal proceedings against the UK because the UK has threatened to break international law with the Internal Market Bill. Two new reports are out. One from Friends of the Earth exploring post-Brexit environmental policy in the UK. The other, by the Public Law Project, warns that EU citizens will face discrimination because settled status is online-only. As usual we look ahead to next week in Parliament and we have recommended reading for your Friday.
Tick Tock.
Time flies in politics and now there is now less than 100 days left until the UK leaves the transition period. In today's Bulletin we look at the Internal Market Bill, if the Government has done enough to prepare people for the transition end, and the EU Settlement Scheme. Key parliamentary events next week are outlined and as usual we have recommended reading for your Friday.
Conservatives Compromise
Has the Government managed to assuage potential rebellions by Conservative MPs over the Internal Market Bill? A government amendment has been tabled for next week after two votes against the Bill and thirty abstentions this week. Meanwhile the issues with the Bill extend beyond the proposed law-breaking as it centralises power to Westminster away from the devolved administrations. As usual we look ahead to what is in Parliament next week and we have recommended reading for you Friday.
Where We're Going We Don't Need Laws
Brexit is back with a vengeance. The UK Government has proposed legislation that a Cabinet Minister admits will “break international law”. This week we look over what the reactions have been to this and what the implications of the bill could be. We also have our new In Parliament section detailing key Brexit business to look out for next week. As usual we have our recommended reading for your Friday.
Fishing For Compromise
This week there continues to be no progress towards a deal on the future relationship between the UK and the EU. Bariner claims the UK are not compromising and the UK claim Bariners rules are preventing progress. This week we include an “In Parliament” section outlining some key events on the upcoming parliamentary diary for you to look out for. As usual we have some recommended reading for your Friday.