Brexit and Beyond

27 October 2025

Welcome to this week's Brexit & Beyond newsletter!

In this week’s edition of Brexit and Beyond, we take a closer look at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee evidence session on the operation of the Windsor Framework. We reflect on some of the EU and international matters discussed in the Assembly last week in our Assembly Round-up and look forward to what’s on the Westminster agenda this week.  As always, we also link through to some of the news stories and items of interest you may have missed.    

We are taking a break next week but will be back with the next edition of Brexit and Beyond on Monday 10 November.

We appreciate feedback from our readers – so if you have any comments on this edition or have ideas for future content, you can email us at info@brexitandbeyond.niassembly.gov.uk 

 

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee takes evidence on the Operation of the Windsor Framework

Lord Murphy pictured giving evidence to the NI Affairs Committee

 The operation of the Windsor Framework was back on the agenda last Wednesday (22 October) when the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee took evidence from Lord Murphy of Torfaen on his recent Independent Review of the Windsor Framework. Also before the Committee were Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Opening the session, Lord Murphy told the Committee that he had felt constrained by the short timeframe he was given to complete the report as well as the tight terms of reference which required that his recommendations receive cross-community support. Citing the electronic travel authorization (ETA) as an example, Lord Murphy said that this was something that he was unable to examine but that it was:  “… unanimously disliked in Northern Ireland because of its impact on the hospitality and tourism industries.” 

Lord Murphy underlined that during his discussions: “…there was absolute agreement that the burdens placed upon industry and business in Northern Ireland were acute and needed to be addressed.” He added that there was a great deal of similarity between his recommendations and those proposed by the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee in its recent report,  particularly around the idea of providing businesses with a one-stop shop. He said that this would allow [businesses] to: “…have a …clearer idea of how to deal with the technicalities and problems …in the operation of the system.” 

Lord Murphy responded to a number of questions from Members regarding the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC), which included issues around its narrow remit and the complexity of EU regulations, as well as the proposal to extend the period of time during which the Committee decides on whether or not to hold an inquiry, from five to ten days. Further discussion centred upon the Stormont Brake, Article 2 of Windsor Framework and on Lord Murphy’s recommendation of the importance of widening the NI Executive Brussels office to assist with the scrutiny of EU legislation at an early stage.  

Addressing the Committee, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP noted that there was a common theme emanating from Lord Murphy’s report, the report from the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee and the recent Federation of Small Businesses report, around the need to reduce trade barriers. He said that he was hopeful that, alongside the linking of the emissions trading systems, the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) mandate would be agreed by the European Union in the next few weeks. He noted that an SPS agreement would, once implemented, significantly reduce trade barriers.

Gavin Robinson MP raised the issue of divergence in vehicle emissions standards between the EU and the UK, and the impact on the local car industry. The Secretary of State said that the UK Government: “…have already informed vehicle manufacturers that we intend to align requirements and ensure consistency between GB and EU approval schemes.” The Secretary of State added that the [UK Government] was conscious of the need for clarity by the 1 February 2026, the date when the new EU Emissions Standards are due to come into effect in Northern Ireland. However, with regards a definitive timeframe, he said that he would come back to the Committee once he had liaised with the Department for Transport. Regular readers will note that we recently reported on the work the Assembly’s Economy Committee has been doing to push for clarity and action on this matter through its correspondence with the Secretary of State. The Economy Committee is holding a follow-up evidence session with the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) on 19 November.

Further issues discussed at the Committee session included: opportunities to promote dual market access; the expected date for the publication of the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel Report; and how the UK Government intends to ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are fully represented in the decision-making processes envisaged under the new SPS agreement. You can watch the evidence session in full here:

Assembly Round-up

photograph of Parliament Buildings taken from the bottom of the front steps.

 During Members’ Statements on Monday, Dr Steve Aiken MLA discussed the recently published British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) Committee B report on UK/EU Defence and Security Cooperation Post-Brexit.

At Question Time, the First Minister  announced that she was hoping to bring a new international relations strategy to the Assembly in the near future which she said: “…will intersect with broader Executive and departmental strategies and actions.” She added that: “A lot of work is happening at an Invest NI level and a tourism level. We are in 25 key locations globally with Invest NI, and we have our three offices in Brussels, the US and Beijing. You have to overlay all those areas of work, and that is what you will see as the product and the outworking of the investment strategy itself.”

In response to a question on maximising access to the dual-market economy, she said that: “… it is important that we continue to reach for all those opportunities to create jobs and grow our economy. We have that unique selling point, and we have to maximise it.” She noted the Manufacturing and Engineering Growth and Advancement (MEGA) network in Mid Ulster, which she had spoken about at the recent Transforming Communities for Inclusion (TCI) global conference, describing it as: “…a fantastic example of advanced manufacturing companies coming together across my constituency and neighbouring constituencies. That is a really good example of how, collaboratively, we can work together.” 

Providing an update on the North/South Ministerial Council, the First Minister said that it had held its thirtieth plenary on Friday 17 October. She noted that it was a: “…good agenda” including topics such as business and trade; infrastructure and investment; emergency planning and preparedness; and ending violence against women and girls. She said that all of these areas were: “…opportunities for us to work together with the Irish Government to deliver better outcomes for our people.” The First Minister also responded to questions on inward investment and key Executive delivery points.   

The Economy Minister also took questions from Members on Monday which included an update on the work of Local economic partnerships (LEPs), student mobility and the ‘Transforming Communities for Inclusion Global Conference 2025’.

The Minister responded to questions on the future of projects currently funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), including ‘Go Succeed’,  a council-led service providing advice and guidance to anyone looking to start or grow a business. With regards the forthcoming closure of the SPF funding for the project in March 2026, the Minister said that: “It was expected that the successor of that funding would be transferred to the Executive following the British Government's spending review announcement in June.” She added that she was keen to ensure that there is: “…continuity of service and that any disruption to businesses and entrepreneurs due to a gap in funding is avoided. My officials are urgently coordinating with the Department of Finance, councils and other stakeholders to determine next steps.”

On Tuesday, during Members Statements, Dr Steve Aiken MLA raised the Union Customs Code (UCC) which defines the legal framework for customs rules and procedures in the EU customs territory. Referencing the recent reports by Lord Murphy, the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee and the Federation of Small Businesses he said they: “…have made it clear that there is limited understanding and knowledge about how the Windsor framework should work..”, adding that: “… the reality is that the Windsor framework is not working, even in its current form.”

Motion on Local Growth Fund

During  Private Members' Business on Tuesday, the Assembly debated a motion on the Local Growth Fund that proposed:  “…this Assembly recognises the positive impact that the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund have had in supporting the community and voluntary sector." It further called on: “the British Government to fulfil its promise to match European Union funding in full and to provide clarity for the community and voluntary sectors beyond 2026.” You can read the full text of the motion here: 

Opening the debate, Emma Sheerin MLA said that: “ The motion relates acutely to Brexit…” adding that: “Leaving the EU has left us with serious economic consequences, most acutely through a loss of funding.” She said that while there had been some replacement funding, it was not to the level that it was and that: “Studies have been done to ascertain the exact value of the shortfall, but the estimates of £20 million per year give you an idea of just how critical it is for those whom we represent.” Ms Sheerin continued that: “We need to have a united voice in going to the British Government and asking for replacement funding and for certainty now.”

Speaking to the motion, Diane Forsythe MLA said: “We want to see the previous spending power under the EU structural funds replicated and enhanced. The UK always paid in more to the EU than it received back under structural funding. There can be no excuse for any shortfall in funding now.”

Contributing to the debate, Kellie Armstrong MLA said that while the British Government had introduced the  Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) as a replacement for the European social fund and the European regional development fund, closer analysis shows that the SPF: “…has not matched what was delivered through the EU structural funds, delivering £127 million over three years: an average reduction of £23 million a year compared with the EU funds.”  

The Minister of Finance, John O’Dowd said that he stood firmly behind the motion and encouraged fellow Members to do likewise by sending a: “…united message to the Government that the time for dithering and delay is over. Clarity is needed, and needed now. Our community and voluntary sector and our communities deserve better.” The question was put to the Assembly and agreed.You can watch full plenary sittings and Committee meetings via https://niassembly.tv/ or catch up by reading the Official Report.

EU Commission Announces 2026 Work Programme

Image of EU flags

 On 21 October, the EU Commission unveiled its work programme for 2026 which underlined key priorities including: sustainable prosperity and competitiveness; defence and security;  quality of life - food, water, nature and on global engagement. Several of the initiatives focus on simplifying EU laws and reducing costs across areas including: the environment, taxation as well as food and feed safety.

The Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We will continue working closely with the European Parliament and the Council to deliver on Europe’s priorities, to boost competitiveness, harness the power of our Single Market, simplify our rules and address the affordability crisis. Together, we will protect our citizens and uphold our values.” You can read the Commission work programme 2026 in full here:

Westminster Brief

photograph of Westminster taken at night

 While the Assembly is in recess this week, a number of EU and international issues are due to be discussed and debated at Westminster.  

On Tuesday, in the House of Commons, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister will respond to questions on what progress she has made on implementing the UK-EU agreement on Gibraltar and on discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving relations with the EU. Also on Tuesday, the House of Lords International Agreements Committee will continue taking evidence on its inquiry on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. You can watch the session live here:

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will take evidence on the Local Growth Fund at its meeting on Wednesday. Members will hear from David Babington, Chief Executive at Action Mental Health; Dr Martin McMullan, Chief Executive at Youth Action Northern Ireland and Celine McStravick, Chief Executive at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.  The meeting will be streamed live here:

Meanwhile in the House of Lords, The Earl of Clancarty is expected to ask what progress has been made in the agreement of a youth mobility scheme between the United Kingdom and the EU.

The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee will take further evidence on its inquiry on ‘The UK’s future relationship with the US’ – the evidence session will be streamed live here: 

Finally, on Thursday the Minister for Business and Trade will respond to questions on: the steps his Department is taking to improve the UK's trading relationships with other countries; what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of the trading relationship with the US on the farming sector; and when he plans to publish a steel strategy. 

 In case you missed it ….