Brexit: UK government touts ‘guaranteed unhindered trade within UK’ as it promises new agency to police post-Brexit business

Although it did not provide the specific text of the legislation which will be set before the Commons on Wednesday, it revealed tonight that part of its plan is to set up a special agency, apparently dedicated to ensuring free trade among the various UK nations.

It is to be called the “Office for the Internal Market” and is to be “independent”.

In addition, the UK Internal Market Bill aims to “ensure that businesses based in Northern Ireland have true ‘unfettered access’ to the rest of the United Kingdom, without paperwork”.

It stressed it is “fully committed” to the existing Withdrawal Bill, amid speculation that Boris Johnson is trying to undermine or change aspects of the UK-EU exit treaty.

It will also “ensure that there is no legal confusion about the fact that, while Northern Ireland will remain subject to the EU’s State Aid regime for the duration of the Protocol, GB will not be subject to EU rules in this area”.

In addition, the government aims to give itself “new spending powers to cover “infrastructure, economic development, culture, sport and will support educational, training and exchange opportunities both within the UK and internationally – much of which were previously done at an EU level”.

The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said: “This pivotal legislation will protect jobs and livelihoods across Northern Ireland, ensuring the smooth operating of the UK internal market.

“The Bill will guarantee we uphold our manifesto commitments to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland that they will continue to have unfettered access to the whole of the rest of the UK market after the end of the Transition Period.

“As a responsible Government it is also necessary for us to ensure there is a safety net in place which provides legal certainty that we can deliver on the commitments made to the people of Northern Ireland, protect the huge gains of the peace process and guarantee the free flow of trade across the entire United Kingdom.”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “The UK’s internal market is the cornerstone of our shared prosperity and delivers unparalleled economic growth across Northern Ireland and the Union.

“Today’s Bill will protect our highly integrated market by guaranteeing that companies can continue to trade unhindered in every part of the UK after the Transition Period ends and EU law falls away.

“By providing clarity over rules that will govern the UK economy after we take back control of our money and laws, we can increase investment and create new jobs in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom, while our maintaining world-leading standards for consumers, workers, food and the environment.

“Without these necessary reforms, the way we trade goods and services between the home nations could be seriously impacted, harming the way we do business within our own borders.

“Now is not the time to create uncertainty for business with new barriers and additional costs that would trash our chances of an economic recovery.”

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