Brexit and Beyond

26 January 2026

banner image reads Brexit and Beyond Newsletter 26 January 2026

In Assembly Round-up, we cover Brexit and EU related questions to The Executive Office, as well as Members’ Statements regarding EU customs duty on small parcels and funding for the community and voluntary sector, we also look ahead to what’s on the Assembly agenda this week. 

We take a closer look at last Thursday’s questions to the Cabinet Office on Erasmus+, agrifood trade, strengthening the UK’s relations with the EU and the potential of joining an EU Customs Union.  

Our regular ‘Parliamentary Planner’ section highlights upcoming debates and discussion topics at other legislatures this week. And as always, we link you through to recent news stories and items of interest you may have missed.    

 

 

 Assembly Round-up  

image of the front of Parliament Buildings which shows the steps leading up to the main entrance.

 

 Questions to the First Minister  

image shows the First Minister in the Assembly Chamber responding to questions from Members during Assembly question time.

The First Minister was in the chamber on Monday for questions to The Executive Office and was asked to outline: how the Executive works with HM Government to remove any internal UK trade barriers which have been created and maintained following Brexit and the Windsor Framework.

Responding, the First Minister said that her office had taken very opportunity to raise the issue, including at meetings of the Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council, the Interministerial Standing Committee and the East-West Council. She added that: “Representations have been made in the context of discussions on the Windsor Framework and the strategic partnership through engagement in the Interministerial Group on UK-EU Relations and in our meetings with Minister Thomas-Symonds.”  

The First Minister said that they would continue to engage through all relevant forums, noting: “ We want to be in at the earliest stage of policy development and strategic decision-making, with the aim of reducing trade barriers and supporting businesses and consumers here.” In response to a follow-up question on internal UK trade and east-west barriers, she said: “Where barriers exist, we should flag those and ask for pragmatism and solutions… changes are coming down the track, particularly in relation to a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, that will iron out some of the issues.” 

Asked by another Member, if she agreed that the opening of an EU office in Belfast would be of assistance in optimising the potential of dual-market access, the First Minister referenced the recent Lord Murphy review which concluded that a one-stop shop to simplify administrative processes would be an advantage. She added that:“Establishing an EU office in Belfast would really help to align that work and would make it easier for businesses that are finding it difficult to trade in a post-Brexit world.” 

 

 

 EU customs duty on small parcels 

During Members’ Statements on Monday, Dr. Steve Aiken MLA discussed how the new EU customs duty on small parcels (under €150), due to take effect from July 2026, will apply to parcels entering Northern Ireland from outside of the EU.   You can read Dr. Aiken’s full statement here:  

 

 

 Funding for the community and voluntary sector: Local Growth Fund  

Kellie Armstrong MLA raised the issue of cuts to the Local Growth Fund during Members’ Statements on Tuesday. She highlighted that: “The transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to the new local growth fund should have been an opportunity to build on what works. Instead, we face a funding cliff edge that threatens people, communities, employers and the very services that support our economic recovery.” You can read the full statement here:  

On the same theme and also during Members’ Statements, Colm Gildernew MLA discussed what he termed as the: “…existential crisis that is facing our community and voluntary sector.” Mr. Gildernew noted that the 31 March 2026 will see the end of the Shared Prosperity Fund, adding that: “The proposed local growth fund, which is due to replace it, is wholly inadequate and will deliver devastating cuts to vital front-line services.” You can read the full statement here: 

 

 

 Minister for Infrastructure update on North/South Ministerial Council inland waterways meeting

The Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins MLA was also in the chamber on Tuesday where she provided an update to Members on the North/South Ministerial Council inland waterways meeting which took place in Armagh on the 25 November 2025. You can read the Minister’s full statement and questions from Members here: 

 

 

 Assembly Research briefs Committee on US Trade Tariffs 

image shows the Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee in a Committee Room at Parliament Buildings. He is listening to a briefing from Assembly Research and there is a Committee banner on a stand behind him.

At its meeting on Thursday, the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee received a briefing from the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) on: ‘US Trade Tariffs: Key changes & initial considerations for Northern Ireland.’ The updated briefing set out the timeline of key trade tariff changes since the end of June 2025.   

You can watch Thursday’s meeting here: and read the RaISe briefing paper in full here.  

 

 

 This Week in the Assembly 

image of the Assembly Chamber taken from the main door towards the Speaker's Chair.

 

During Question Time today, the Minister for Communities provided Members with an update on his Department’s engagement with the Community and Voluntary Sector regarding their concerns with the Local Growth Fund.  

On Wednesday, the Executive Office Committee will hear evidence from the Directors of the Executive’s three overseas bureau in Brussels, Beijing and Washington DC.  You can watch the briefing live from 2:45pm via niassembly.tv.  

At its meeting on Thursday, the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC) will consider a number of proposed EU Regulations and Directives. Further details are available via the Committee agenda.  

 

 

 Parliamentary Planner:  

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It’s a busy week in Westminster for matters related to Brexit, EU and international affairs. On Monday in the House of Commons, the First Delegated Legislation Committee will debate the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 which will also be considered in the House of Lords Grand Committee on Wednesday. This item of business is on the agendas of the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru this week. On Monday, it will be considered by Senedd Cymru’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, meanwhile on Thursday, the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will take evidence from Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and Scottish Government officials on the Order.  

Also on Wednesday, the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee will examine the work of the Cabinet Office. Members will take evidence from the Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations) at Cabinet Office, Hermione Gough, EU Director at Cabinet Office and Catherine Little CB, Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office at Cabinet Office.  

In the House of Lords on Wednesday, the International Relations and Defence Committee will continue its evidence sessions on the UK’s future relationship with the US.  

On Thursday, Lord Newby will move a ‘Motion to take Note’ on the case for a UK-EU customs union and the impact of connections with the EU single market on the United Kingdom economy.  

Meanwhile in the House of Commons on Thursday, the Minister for the Department for Business and Trade is expected to respond to a question on what steps he is taking to increase trade with the European Union. 

 

 

 Westminster Brief  

image of Westminster taken at night.

Erasmus+, agrifood trade, strengthening the UK’s relations with the EU and the potential of joining an EU Customs Union were prominent discussion topics at Westminster last week.  

On Thursday in the House of Commons, Chris Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, told Members that the Government had negotiated associate membership of the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. He said that this could: “…open up opportunities for more than 100,000 young people from all backgrounds to learn, train, study or volunteer abroad.”Mr. Ward underlined that the programme was not just about universities, adding that: “…it is also about apprenticeships, FE colleges, youth workers and sports professionals.”

Responding to questions on strengthening the UK’s relations with the EU, the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: “The Government agreed a new strategic partnership with the EU in May last year, delivering for UK jobs, easing the burden on bill payers and strengthening our borders.” 

Gavin Robinson MP referenced the Minister’s attendance at the East-West Council meeting which was scheduled to take place in Belfast later that afternoon. Mr. Robinson noted that the council had been created to strengthen ties within the United Kingdom, arguing that: “… one of the impediments to those economic ties is the Windsor framework.” He asked if the Minister recognised that in building a better relationship with the EU, more pragmatism was required. Mr. Thomas-Symonds said this was: “… one of the reasons I am so keen to get the food and drink agreement with the EU implemented as soon as possible … which will mean we can reduce the levels of checks in the Irish sea.”

Mr. Thomas-Symonds also told MPs: “The sanitary and phytosanitary agreement removes export health certificates and routine border checks, slashing costs and red tape for agrifood trade.”

In response to questions on the potential for a new EU-UK customs deal, Mr. Thomas-Symonds said:“Our democratic mandate from the general election is clear: we will not rejoin the single market or the customs union, or go back to freedom of movement.” You can view all questions and the Cabinet Office responses here:  

 

 

 Debate continues on EU Customs charge for small parcels  

image shows two pairs of hands exchanging small brown packages

Media coverage continued this week on the new EU customs charge on parcels which is due to be implemented from July 2026. A Newsletter article published on 22 January reported comments from the UK government that it will work with the EU to “minimize any potential impact” on Northern Ireland businesses and consumers. The article referenced Dr. Aiken’s concerns on the new charges which he expressed in his statement last Monday, noting the UK Government had responded by saying that it was: “…committed to ensuring goods eligible to move under the UK Carrier Scheme (UKCS) and the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) can continue to do so, protecting movements within the UK internal market from duty.”

The Antrim Guardian also reported on the issue, quoting Declan Kearney MLA as describing the charge as an “unfair additional burden” on businesses and “political folly.” Mr. Kearney added: “The Windsor Framework has protected our businesses from much of the damage caused by Brexit, but it is not a panacea…this issue of duties on parcels is a friction which requires a practical and pragmatic solution.” Meanwhile, in the same article, Dr. Steve Aiken MLA said: “These new charges will generate significant revenue for the EU not for our Executive while adding cost and complexity for households and retailers.” 

 

 

 Joint Committee and Partnership Council meetings on 2 February 

The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, which is responsible for the implementation and application of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, will meet on 2 February 2026. The agenda includes an ‘Update on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement’, including relating to Citizens’ Rights and the Windsor Framework, and Decisions to be adopted by the Joint Committee.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Partnership Council is also meeting on 2 February. The agenda includes items on: TCA Implementation; Cyber Security Cooperation; Trade, Level playing Field and Economic Security policies in the EU and UK (including measures relating to global steel overcapacity, initiatives relating to economic security, industrial policy measures, and EU & UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms); and Fisheries.

You can find more information on the governance of the Withdrawal Agreementand the Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the Assembly website.  

 

 

 In case you missed it… 

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  • A UK Government Press Release set out the agenda for last week’s meeting of the East-West Council which took place in Belfast on 22 January. The release includes an update on the Connect Fund Round 2 which offers grants from £300 up to £50,000 aiming to support work in sectors directly affecting Northern Ireland communities, encouraging East-West collaboration across the UK, and equipping local groups to tackle challenges and access opportunities shared by communities in Great Britain. The Connect Fund Round 2 closes on 12 February 2026 and further information, including how to apply can be found here: 

  • The European Parliament’s Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (D-UK) met in Strasbourg on Thursday, 22 January, where there was an exchange of views on “Local and regional dimension of EU-UK relations. You can watch a recording of the meeting here.  

  • A 24 January Newsletter article ‘Warning EU could block NI smoking ban’ reports that Diane Dodds MLA has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland seeking assurances that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill be introduced in Northern Ireland, following objections raised by some EU member states.  

  • In an opinion piece in the Belfast Telegraph on Saturday 24 January, Columnist Sam McBride argues that the “Irish Sea border is hardening” and that if the Northern Ireland Protocol / Windsor Framework “was enforced strictly, then millions of items of produce would be stopped at the Irish land border every week”. (behind a paywall).