Barry responds to news that Canada will not roll over CETA deal in event of a No Deal Brexit

Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, responding to the news that Canada is not prepared to roll over the CETA Agreement in the event of the U.K. leaving the EU with No Deal, said:

“Today’s revelation that Canada will not agree to roll over the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK shows just how stubborn and ideological Fox has been in preparing our future trade relations.

“The Canadians have recognised that such an arrangement gives their exporters a significant advantage and that the government’s foolish approach will ensure that they do not have to offer trade preferences in return. A No Deal Brexit means that our exporters face being shut out of core markets or having huge tariffs levied on their goods whilst importers into our market will not. Quite simply, it will be impossible to compete.

“Those campaigning to be our next Prime Minister must immediately rule out a No Deal Brexit and ensure that this situation cannot be allowed to arise.”

Barry attends Aerospace in Parliament reception

Barry attended an event organised by ADS and the Aerospace Growth Partnership at the House of Commons yesterday to highlight the value of the UK aerospace to national prosperity through supporting local jobs and skills.

At the event, Barry heard about the Future Flight initiative, part of the Aerospace Sector Deal, which focuses on harnessing opportunities for the UK around electric and autonomous aircraft, urban mobility and the digitalisation of aviation. The work of the Aerospace Technology Institute was also highlighted, demonstrating their value in the aerospace innovation landscape and how its funding and collaboration opportunities has brought investment to the UK. A focus on high-value design also featured as the UK seeks to remain globally competitive, utilising a UK knowledge and skills base around digitally-enabled design and systems engineering.

The event highlighted the importance of the supply chain and SMEs to the UK’s aerospace industry. Increasing its productivity and competitiveness will enable UK SMEs to fulfil their growth potential and exploit export markets.

Companies and organisations who were involved in showcasing the work of the UK aerospace industry at the event include ADS, Aeromet, the Aerospace Technology Institute, Airbus, GKN, Rolls-Royce and Thales.

Barry Gardiner said: “Attending this event at the House of Commons provided a valuable opportunity to gain an insight into the work being achieved through initiatives such as the Aerospace Technology Institute and the Aerospace Sector Deal. It is important to ensure that aerospace companies of all size continue to thrive and deliver economic returns and high-skill employment. The UK’s aerospace industry is an important success story, so we must work hard to maintain global competitiveness and retain skills here in the UK.” 

Barry attends Aerospace in Parliament reception

Barry attended an event organised by ADS and the Aerospace Growth Partnership at the House of Commons yesterday to highlight the value of the UK aerospace to national prosperity through supporting local jobs and skills.

At the event, Barry heard about the Future Flight initiative, part of the Aerospace Sector Deal, which focuses on harnessing opportunities for the UK around electric and autonomous aircraft, urban mobility and the digitalisation of aviation. The work of the Aerospace Technology Institute was also highlighted, demonstrating their value in the aerospace innovation landscape and how its funding and collaboration opportunities has brought investment to the UK. A focus on high-value design also featured as the UK seeks to remain globally competitive, utilising a UK knowledge and skills base around digitally-enabled design and systems engineering.

The event highlighted the importance of the supply chain and SMEs to the UK’s aerospace industry. Increasing its productivity and competitiveness will enable UK SMEs to fulfil their growth potential and exploit export markets.

Companies and organisations who were involved in showcasing the work of the UK aerospace industry at the event include ADS, Aeromet, the Aerospace Technology Institute, Airbus, GKN, Rolls-Royce and Thales.

Barry Gardiner said: “Attending this event at the House of Commons provided a valuable opportunity to gain an insight into the work being achieved through initiatives such as the Aerospace Technology Institute and the Aerospace Sector Deal. It is important to ensure that aerospace companies of all size continue to thrive and deliver economic returns and high-skill employment. The UK’s aerospace industry is an important success story, so we must work hard to maintain global competitiveness and retain skills here in the UK.” 

Barry responds on Fox’s damaging plans for zero tariffs

Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Trade Secretary, responding to reports that in the event of “no deal”, Liam Fox plans to cut all import tariffs to zero, said:

“What is proposed is extraordinarily damaging. Reducing all tariffs on imports to zero would undermine our domestic producers in their home markets, and risk serious job losses in key industries from ceramics to farming.

“That is bad enough. But the Secretary of State appears not to understand the basic logic of trade negotiations: your side wants the other to liberalise their markets and reduce tariffs on the goods you export to them. If you have already reduced all your tariffs to zero you have nothing to negotiate with!

“What Liam Fox is proposing will drive job losses and undermine the UK’s bargaining power in any trade negotiations including with the EU. He is not just shooting himself in the foot, he is shooting himself in both feet.”

Sale of Wembley Stadium: Football Association must play fair to the community on any stadium deal

England’s start in the World Cup has given a huge lift across the country.  We have seen England play with skill and confidence and we have to give a lot of credit to the Football Association for finally putting the right team both on the field and in the management team.

There is another field of play however where the FA cannot afford to score an own goal.   That is the future of Wembley Stadium.  Wembley National Stadium is an International icon vital not only for Brent and London, but also for England and the United Kingdom.

It is up for sale.   £161m of public money, through Sport England (£120m), the Department of Culture Media and Sport (£20m) and London Development Agency (£21m), were invested to secure the redevelopment of the stadium.  As the MP for Brent North I was extensively involved in the initial difficult negotiations and agreements  relating to the Wembley redevelopment.  My earlier contributions in parliament going back 20 years to March 1998 can be viewed here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?q=Wembley+stadium+&pid=10220&p=2

A key part of the deal, to safeguard the £161M of public monies provided for the construction of the stadium, was the funding of local Brent sports and community projects through a one per cent share of the turnover from the stadium.  That money goes to the Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST) which in 2017 gave £213,516 to projects across the country.   Whatever the future of the stadium I am fighting to make sure the local community retains the local benefits arising from Wembley Stadium. It is only fair that the stadium gives back something as a way of  “repaying the debt for the inconvenience caused to local residents on Event Days”.  The WNST is boosting sports and community facilities at a critical time for public health where community sports provision and youth services have been whittled away by government cuts to local authorities   The breadth of sporting activities provided by Wembley National Stadium Trust includes six projects with a distinct focus on disability or mental ill health and three programmes specifically targeted at getting more girls and young women to play sport.  They also fund work with young offenders, refugees and asylum seekers and older people working their way back to fitness.

These are superb projects around fitness, football and inclusion that currently are set to benefit local people for 50 years.  No sale of the Stadium should be allowed to jeopardise that.

That is why I have written to the Secretary of State to say that any sale has to be conditional on the continued flow of revenue to the Trust.

Barry responds to President Trump’s calls for a Trade War

Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, calls on the government to act over the escalating rhetoric around President Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs of 25% on steel imports from the UK, said:

“President Trump has made clear his appetite for a trade war. It started with Bombardier, and has now moved on to steel and aluminium.  We are seeing a real threat to thousands of British jobs linked to UK exports to the US. On top of that there is a risk that other steel exporting countries try to reroute their surplus capacity from the US into the UK.

“We need strong government action now, including at a multilateral level through the WTO, before entire sectors of UK industry are left wondering who’s next.”

Village School

Brent North MP Barry Gardiner has called an urgent meeting at the Civic Centre on Thursday 8th February to discuss plans to join the Village School with Woodfield School to form a Multi-Academy Trust.

6:00pm at Brent Civic Centre Conference Room on Thursday 8th February 2018.

Senior Staff and governors from the school have been invited to answer questions and explain the proposed move to parents, staff and members of the community. There is a stay and play children’s activity facility in a separate room to allow parents to attend the meeting.

Barry said:  “I was pleased to welcome a group of parents and teachers who came to lobby me at the House of Commons recently. They raised a number of serious concerns about the proposal. It is right that governors should have the opportunity to hear from all the interested, caring and committed individuals who work in the schools or whose children are educated there and of course for the governors to explain why they think this Multi Academy Trust is necessary.

Ofsted, has rated the Village School outstanding in every area of its work, including how it cares for these wonderful, special children.  The governors must explain clearly to the community what the advantage to the children is to take a highly successful caring school away from local accountability, local connections and local scrutiny?   I have already written to the interim executive head of The Village School and Woodfield School asking just those questions.”

Barry responds to DIT ‘holiday goods’ release

Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, commenting on the ‘holiday goods exports’ statistics released by the Department for International Trade, said:

“These holiday goods statistics are an attempt by Liam Fox to divert attention from the weak performance of UK trade under his watch. Yesterday’s ONS figures showed that, excluding erratic items, the monthly trade deficit for June is the worst since November 2011.

“Celebrating the success of British ice cream, sunglasses and swimwear is all very well, but the truth is that the UK is a net importer of all those products. All in all we import £93 million more of sunglasses, £132 million more of ice cream, and £74 million more of swimwear than we export. Of course the real irony is that our major trading partners for all of these ‘holiday goods’ are European countries such as Italy, Germany, Ireland, France and Belgium. This just reinforces the importance of a future trade agreement with the EU. That must be the government’s top trade priority.

“Celebrating the flow of foreign direct investment to the UK is all very well too, but the Department for International Trade has been reluctant to tell us the value of these investment. More investments in number may not be more in value.

“Putting out selective figures may be politically convenient for Liam Fox; but it will not mask the fact that he does not have a coherent trade strategy to improve our widening trade deficit. Trade trips around the world are impressive but British businesses are crying out for a trade strategy that is aligned with a proper industrial programme. That would give business the real confidence it needs to boost investment, increase productivity and bring our worsening trade deficit under control.”

Barry comments on ONS trade statistics

Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, commenting on today’s trade statistics release from the ONS, which shows UK trade performance for the year since the EU Referendum vote, said:

“Despite Liam Fox traversing the globe in search of new trade deals, the latest trade figures show that the monthly trade deficit is at the worst since November 2011. This government is failing to make any real impact on growing British exports and reducing our trade deficit. In the twelve months since the EU Referendum and the creation of the Department for International Trade there has been no promised boom in trade as any increases in exports are closely matched by the increasing volume of imports and the total trade deficit has continued to widen.

“The Secretary of State’s overseas junkets have not materialised in tangible results as, in the last quarter, exports to non-EU countries have actually decreased by 1.4 per cent whilst exports to EU countries has increased by 2.0 per cent – a clear reminder of the need for the Government to prioritise our trading relationship with the EU.

“Globetrotting, sporadic arms sales and dependence on foreign exchange arbitrage opportunities is not a trade strategy -; the Secretary of State must bring forward a coherent trade plan that sets out how he intends to grow British exports by integrating our industrial and international trade strategies in order to promote domestic industries.”

Barry calls for an International Trade White Paper

Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, commenting on this week’s inaugural Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting said:

“The Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting1 further demonstrates that the government is actively holding discussions with potential trading partners on our future trading relations. Although the government has told us their plan for Brexit, they have not presented to Parliament and the British people what their plan is for international trade. We’ve been promised an ‘independent trade policy’ from the Secretary of State for International Trade, however, this has not been disclosed.

“The government must produce an International Trade White Paper and give urgent clarity what their plans are for our future international trade, outlining negotiating principles and trade policy objectives.

“To this end, I have written2 to the Secretary of State for International Trade calling for him to urgently publish an International Trade White Paper and to address key unanswered questions about the government’s international trade policy.”

Barry comments on ONS figures on Foreign Direct Investment involving UK companies

Barry Gardiner, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, commenting on ONS figures for foreign direct investment involving UK companies said:

“Today’s ONS figures show just what the impact of the uncertainty has been under the Tories with UK companies drawing back overseas investment to prepare for Brexit and economic volatility at home. 

Investment overseas by UK companies is now at the lowest levels since the year after the global financial crisis. Yet this is the very time when we need to encourage British companies to embrace international trade.

“These signs of falling investor confidence show the damaging impact of the incoherent policies and political uncertainty on business. Sadly there is no sign that this Tory Government has any plan to turn it around.

“As today’s figures remind us, Europe remains the dominant source for inward and outward UK foreign direct investment and the real acid test will be what impact the Brexit vote has had on investment in 2016. It is clear that British companies are highly dependent on a favourable trading regime with Europe. The government must do more to preserve and promote our relationship with our biggest trading partner, the EU. Businesses at home and abroad urgently need certainty about the Government’s plan for leaving the EU to make investment decisions.”

Barry calls for an investigation into allegations of corruption in overseas commercial trade

Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, responding to a BBC Panorama investigation into allegations of corrupt practices, including bribery, by Rolls Royce plc and its representatives said:

“Investigations into corrupt practices at one of our flagship international export businesses raises deeply troubling questions about the extent to which bribery and corruption happen across the board.

“Given that so many of these commercial export deals are underwritten by UK Export Finance loans and other financial support schemes, I have written, today, to the Secretary of State calling upon him to tell us how many British exporters are being investigated for corrupt dealings, including where intermediaries are used, and what his Department intends to do to ensure that UKEF is not providing support to any companies involved in such practices.

“The British people want to see British businesses on top and leading world markets but expect them also to do so with clean hands and with fair and ethical trading practices.”

Barry on CETA: Tory ministers are undermining parliamentary sovereignty

Barry Gardiner, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, said in response to the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) going ahead:

“This government have held CETA to be a model of the type of trade agreement they would wish to see for the UK, and yet they have utterly failed to bring the terms of the agreement to Parliament for debate prior to their approving its go ahead.

“This sits ill with Tory ministers that say we are leaving the EU in order to regain our parliamentary sovereignty, and who are content to see an independent commercial settlement procedure set up under this agreement that bypasses the UK’s judicial systems.

“The courts that CETA proposes elevate international corporations to the status of nation states. They have the effect of preventing governments from passing legislation in the public interest where they might be deemed to damage companies’ prospective profits.

“This means that CETA could stop a future UK government from banning fracking on land in the UK.”

Barry warns UK government over future trade deals follow CETA delays

Barry Gardiner, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, said in response to continued uncertainty over the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement:

“The latest delay of CETA and the cancellation of the EU – Canada Summit should make this government pause and ponder the likelihood of concluding a new trade relationship with the EU within a 2 year time frame.

“The Canadian Agreement has been hailed by ministers as a model of what they would like. But it has taken 7 years to negotiate already and is much less complex than any deal with the UK inevitably must be.

“The government seems able to delude themselves about the difficulties that lie ahead. But they have no right to delude the British people. Trade Agreements are arduous and detailed with each side negotiating in the best interests of their own country. No government can rely on good will. The government must be clear about its aims and straight with the British public.”

Barry dismisses Tories’ ‘cross your fingers’ approach to trade deals

Barry Gardiner, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, responding to claims by Liam Fox that Britain’s non-EU partners had indicated they would allow the UK to continue trading on existing terms after the UK leaves the EU, said:

“Legal advice from the European Commission and confirmed by the House of Commons Library suggests that the UK would have to renegotiate all those trade agreements concluded whilst we were members of the EU.

“If Dr. Fox has the private assurances he has claimed from non-EU trade partners, then these need to be made public and confirmed because the UK must increase its trade to these countries by 37% over the next 15 years just to stand still.

“A “cross your fingers” approach to what would constitute a 4.5% drop in GDP is simply not good enough.

“Today’s reports again highlight just how dangerous this split in the government is. Policy decisions cannot be based upon private “gentleman’s agreements” made off the record by foreign politicians who may or may not still be in office when we need to call them in. 

“People need to know their jobs are being protected and businesses need clarity about the basis of future trade. This government is offering neither.”

Barry comments on government giving MPs access to TTIP text

Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, commenting on the government’s announcement today that MPs will have access to documents relating to EU-US Free Trade talks said:

“Today’s announcement that the government will be giving MPs access to TTIP documents is a triumph for all of us campaigning for more transparency in trade negotiations. 

“Our colleagues in Brussels, Ireland and the US have of course had access to these documents for months. It was appalling that the only way members of parliament could find out what their own government was doing was to ask foreign legislators. It is gratifying the government has now given way and accepted the need for transparency – albeit in this desperately limited way.”

“The UK’s elected representatives must be able to scrutinise all trade deals. Particularly when as here they will severely impact the capacity of the government to legislate in the public interest and hence the lives of British people. 

“It is now very unlikely that the TTIP deal will go through, but today’s announcement should mark the start of a new era of transparency in which government gives parliament its rightful scrutiny powers over all trade agreement negotiations the UK is involved in. This should include the EU-Canada Trade Agreement, CETA, which is at a far more advance stage than TTIP and presents similar dangers to our sovereignty.”

Barry comments on revelations that ‘Hard Brexit’ could cost £66bn

Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, commenting on today’s Times report that hard Brexit could see us revert to WTO rules and cost up to £66 billion a year:

“Once again Cabinet members are split over Brexit. Those, like Dr. Fox, who call for a ‘Hard Brexit’ seem to think it’s acceptable to jeopardise £66 billion of tax revenue in a high stakes game of chicken. They refuse to face up to the financial realities for British businesses and international trade from a failure to maintain clear access into the single market.

“Last week clarified for British exporters that market access is very much a lower priority for this government and a hard Brexit is now their preferred policy. Leaving the single market and defaulting to WTO rules would be extremely damaging for our economy and would hit the public finances.

“It is the Brexiteers who are “withdrawn from reality” if they believe otherwise. The irony is that it is these same voices who are calling for the process to be rushed forward; and this could actually prevent us from negotiating the favourable terms they assume we will be given as of right.

“When he’s not insulting our businesses Fox seems to think vague platitudes will be enough to boost exports and stimulate growth. It’s tantamount to saying: “Trust me I’m a doctor.”

Barry responds to government overruling Lancashire council’s fracking rejection

Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, responding to the Tory Government’s decision to override Lancashire county council’s rejection on fracking, said:

“The Government’s decision bulldozes local democracy and risks locking Britain into an old-fashioned dirty energy infrastructure when we should be seizing the opportunities for new long-term jobs and investment in a clean energy future.

“Cuadrilla’s own figures on jobs show they would be very temporary, and their claims that fracking will lower British energy bills have been discredited.

“Tory ministers pay lip service to tackling climate change but are bending over backwards to force through new fossil fuel infrastructure, with divisive bribes, tax breaks and ministerial powers that override the wishes of local communities.

“The next Labour government will ban fracking and focus on unlocking the jobs and growth that a new clean low-carbon energy infrastructure can provide for our industry, workforce and communities.”

Barry responds to proposals for interim Single Market access

Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, Europe, Energy & Climate Change, responding to the latest government u-turn on access to the Single Market, said:

“On Tuesday, we were told the Government had ruled out transitional arrangements until a new trade deal can be negotiated with the EU. Today, we are told this option has neither been ruled in or out. They are literally making up their policy on Brexit one day after another.

“More than 100 days after the EU Referendum they still have no plan, no answers and cannot agree amongst themselves on what the priorities are. This uncertainty is doing grave damage to the ability of British businesses to plan ahead and puts the jobs of hard-working people across the country in jeopardy.

“The idea of transitional arrangements is typical of this malaise: an indeterminate period where we would have to pay a premium price for access to the Single Market but may have no say over the legislation and regulatory standards that govern it, and still have no certainty over what will happen afterwards” 

“Rather than delivering the certainty and stability required for long-term planning and investment, this would just prolong the uncertainty we already face and could lead to a long, slow death for British exporters. By definition, transitional arrangements are not a plan; they are a stopgap when you don’t know what to do.

“The country deserves better, but the Government just keeps doling out more of the same: no answers and no plan for the working people of this country and for British businesses.”

Barry responds to the EU ratifying the Paris climate Agreement

Barry Gardiner, Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, responding to the EU ratifying the Paris climate Agreement today, said:

“Today marks a decisive shift in the global effort to tackle dangerous climate change.

“By ratifying the Paris climate agreement collectively, European countries have brought this historic deal into force less than a year after it was reached. 

“This is a clear sign of the political will to accelerate the transition to clean energy around the globe.

“The Paris Agreement is testament to the leadership of the UK’s Climate Change Act passed by the last Labour government. Today’s news should push the UK government to urgently complete the domestic process through parliament, and set out a robust plan capable of meeting our legal climate commitments.”