Overview

This bill implements the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU, covering various aspects of their future relationship, including security, trade, and administrative cooperation. It also makes provisions regarding passenger name record data, customs, and privileges and immunities.

Description

The bill is divided into four parts. Part 1 focuses on security, detailing the exchange of criminal records information between the UK and EU member states, the handling of passenger name record (PNR) data, mutual assistance in criminal matters, and extradition arrangements. Specific provisions address data protection and the use of information for law enforcement purposes. The extradition sections maintain EU member states as category 1 territories under the Extradition Act 2003.

Part 2 addresses trade and other matters, including the exchange of non-food product safety information with the EU. It establishes procedures for disclosure and cooperation between customs services, new powers to regulate the movement of goods, and administrative cooperation on VAT and mutual assistance on tax debts. The section also modifies provisions on international road haulage and social security coordination.

Part 3 concerns the general implementation of various agreements (including the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Security of Classified Information Agreement), granting powers to relevant national authorities to make regulations for implementation purposes. This includes provisions about the financial implications of these agreements.

Part 4 contains supplementary and final provisions, including definitions, regulations, consequential and transitional provisions, and the short title of the Act.

Government Spending

The bill provides for government expenditure on the PEACE PLUS programme and its successors and for general expenditure incurred by ministers, government departments, or public authorities by virtue of any future relationship agreement or this Act itself. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected by the bill include:

• Law enforcement agencies: Impact: Changes to information sharing, extradition, and mutual assistance.
• Individuals with criminal records (UK and EU nationals): Impact: Changes to the sharing and retention of conviction data.
• Airlines and other transportation providers: Impact: Changes to PNR data handling requirements.
• Businesses involved in cross-border trade: Impact: Changes to customs procedures, product safety regulations, and data sharing.
• Tax authorities: Impact: Changes to administrative cooperation on VAT and tax debt recovery.
• Devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): Impact: Restrictions on legislative powers regarding the implementation of the agreements.
• Individuals involved in international road haulage: Impact: Changes to cabotage rules.

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