Thank you for contacting me about trading with the EU.
The Government was always clear that the UK would be leaving the single market and the customs union. I support this position. It was a Conservative Party manifesto commitment. The UK and the EU are now in different customs territories and there are inevitably changes to procedures at the border.
In order to help smaller businesses adjust to new customs rules, such as VAT and rules of origin, a £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund has been announced. Businesses will be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to pay for practical support and professional advice on trading with the EU. Customs procedures are also being introduced in three stages from January in order to provide time for traders to adapt to new customs arrangements.
The Agreement reached with the EU provides a framework to agree arrangements on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the future. It also provides visa-free travel for UK citizens for up to 90 days in every 180-day period for a range of activities including attending business meetings. The UK sought to agree further provisions for musicians and artists but the EU rejected these proposals.
While the UK and the EU do not share a common rule book for goods, the agreement does provide for tariff and quota-free access for the entry of UK goods onto the EU single market. This is a significant benefit for businesses across the country. The UK will not be going back to renegotiate the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
