Overview

These Lords Amendments to the UK Trade Bill significantly enhance parliamentary scrutiny of future trade agreements. They mandate parliamentary approval for all trade deals, including a detailed assessment of their potential impact across various sectors, and aim to ensure that such agreements align with UK standards on human rights, environmental protection, and labour rights.

Description

The amendments introduce several key changes:

Parliamentary Approval of Trade Agreements:

All trade negotiations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before commencing. A Committee on Trade Agreements will be established to assess sustainability and produce a report recommending ratification, considering economic, environmental, human rights, and labour impacts both domestically and internationally. The agreements themselves must also receive parliamentary approval before ratification.

Post-Ratification Reporting:

A report on the impact of any ratified free trade agreements must be published within five years of ratification.

Maintaining UK Standards:

Regulations made under the bill must maintain UK levels of statutory protection in areas such as human and animal health, animal welfare, environmental protection and employment.

Other Key Provisions:

The amendments also include objectives for the government to pursue a customs union with the EU, prevent negative impacts on North-South trade in Ireland, and secure a mobility framework for UK and EU citizens related to trade. They also mandate statements on the effect of regulations on equalities legislation.

Government Spending

The amendments are unlikely to have a direct significant impact on government spending, but the increased scrutiny and reporting requirements may lead to increased administrative costs for government departments involved in trade negotiations.

Groups Affected

• Parliament: Granted significantly increased powers over trade agreements.
• Businesses: Will be affected by the terms of future trade deals and have opportunities to influence negotiations through the consultation process.
• Trade Unions: Increased influence over trade deals due to the focus on labour standards.
• Environmental Groups: Enhanced ability to influence trade deals through their involvement in the parliamentary process and the consideration of environmental impacts.
• Human Rights Organizations: Similar to environmental groups, enhanced influence due to the focus on human rights considerations.
• Devolved Administrations: Given consultation rights throughout the trade deal process.
• The Public: More opportunities for public engagement and influence on the trade deal process.

Powered by nyModel