Bishop Auckland constituency MP, Helen Goodman has questioned the effect the government’s Brexit strategy will have on local businesses during the Small Businesses debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday 17th January.
“The most useful thing that the Treasury could do for small manufacturers in my constituency,” said Ms Goodman, “is announce an objective of staying in the customs union.
“Up to now, the Treasury has been a beacon in saying that it wants decisions based on analysis, not on rhetoric and ideology.
“Can the Minister Secretary assure the House that that is still under consideration?”
Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jane Ellison, responded: “These are issues that we are looking at carefully; the Chancellor has had a series of roundtable meetings with different sectors and industries in recent months, as have all of us Ministers.
“We are looking carefully at what those detailed issues are.
“Of course, much more will be said on this and discussed in the House later today, but we are clear that we want to understand the detailed issues that businesses face, so that as we move forward to make our future outside the European Union, we can resolve the practical issues that businesses will face in a way that helps the British economy.”
Commenting after the debate, Ms Goodman said: “Theresa May seems not to understand the importance of the customs union (what people used to call the Common Market) to manufacturers.
“In the North East we have an exporting surplus and we can’t afford tariffs or barriers on exports to the EU.”
Meanwhile, Ms Goodman’s next constituency surgery will take place on Friday 27th January, from 12 noon at Auckland Youth & Community Centre, Walker Drive, Bishop Auckland.
To attend the constituency surgery, register with the Constituency Office on 01388 603075 or by email at goodmanh@parliament.uk.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
