Brexit and Beyond

02 March 2026

In what was a busy week at Westminster for Brexit and EU related affairs, we take a closer look at parliamentary debates relating to the Local Growth Fund and small parcel charges, the impact of the 2016 EU referendum, and the House of Lords European Affairs Committee report, ‘Unfinished Business: Resetting the UK-EU relationship'.

This week, we also cover the new UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement and the Draft UK-EU Treaty on Gibraltar, as well as an overview of President Metsola’s two-day visit to London.  

As well as looking ahead to what’s on the Assembly agenda, our regular ‘Parliamentary Planner’ section highlights upcoming debates and discussion topics at other legislatures this week.  

As always, we link you through to the news stories and items of interest you may have missed. 

• Assembly Roundup
• Questions to the Economy Minister
• Common frameworks: Update 
• Committee agrees to monitor proposed replacement EU acts
• Westminster Brief
• Local Growth Fund discussed in House of Commons
• Treasury unpacks small parcel charges during Lords’ debate
• Should I stay or should I go? MPs debate impact of 2016 EU membership referendum
• Lords’ Take Note debate:  Unfinished Business: Resetting the UK-EU relationship
• UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement signed
• President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola visits the UK
• Draft UK–EU Agreement reached in respect of Gibraltar
• This Week in the Assembly
• Parliamentary Planner 
• In case you missed it… 

 Assembly Round-up

Our regular weekly round-up of Brexit, EU and international focused debates and Committee evidence sessions at the Assembly. 

 Questions to the Economy Minister

During Question Time last Monday, the Minister for the Economy, Dr. Caoimhe Archibald MLA discussed the NI Business Support programme, Go Succeed which is led by Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils.  The Minister told Members that: “…the future of that vital service is now at risk due to changes in the British Government's local growth fund.”  She said that she had written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging him to address that situation and added that: “There is still time for the British Government to secure the future of Go Succeed and other projects supported by the Shared Prosperity Fund, but they need to act now.” 

Responding to a question on the recent US Supreme Court Ruling on tariffs, the Minister said: “I have engaged again with the British and Irish Governments to seek urgent clarification on the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling, particularly in relation to the agreements that have been made.” She added that along with her officials, she would: “…continue to monitor the situation in partnership with my tariff working group to understand the implications for local businesses.”

The Minister noted to Members that despite what she described as: “…the recent disruption and uncertainty that has been created by tariffs in particular”, the United States remained one of Northern Ireland’s biggest trading partners “with an export market worth £1·4 billion.”  She advised, that in partnership with Invest NI, NI Screen and Tourism Ireland, she would be visiting Los Angeles and San Francisco in the coming weeks to: “…focus on trade, tourism and screen opportunities for the North with businesses, tour operators and the film industry on the west coast of America.”

 Common frameworks: Update  

The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee completed its scrutiny of two common frameworks last Thursday, 26 February. The relevant frameworks are Best Available Techniques (relating to regulation, control and prevention of pollution from industry), and Ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases.

The Committee had previously considered these common frameworks at its meeting on 20 March 2025 when it received evidence from departmental officials.

The next step following legislative scrutiny is for officials from the UK and devolved governments to review and update the frameworks having considered views from the different legislatures. You can watch the AERA Committee meeting here and access the provisional common frameworks on gov.uk. 

Also on Thursday 26 February, four transport-related common frameworks were finalised and published on gov.uk. Prior to this, the frameworks had been operating provisionally. The four frameworks are bilateral frameworks between the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive:

• Commercial transport operator licensing common framework

• Driver licensing common framework

• Rail technical standards common framework

• Motor insurance common framework

The UK Government has previously indicated that a number of other frameworks in the programme will also be finalised and published in their final form in the first quarter of 2026.  

 Committee agrees to monitor proposed replacement EU acts

At its meeting on 26 February 2026, the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC) agreed to monitor three proposed replacement EU acts relating to Organic Products (Agriculture); Biocidal Products – Data Protection (Chemicals and related); Medical devices (Health).

More information about the proposed EU acts can be found on the EU Law Scrutiny Tracker on the Assembly website. You can watch the full DSC meeting here.

 Westminster Brief

 A round-up of Brexit and EU related issues discussed at Westminster last week.  

 Local Growth Fund discussed in House of Commons 

On Monday, during questions to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Growth, Robin Swann MP raised the delivery of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and in particular the “…shift towards capital-heavy investment…”, which he said failed to: “…to recognise the reality that youth and community work is relational, intensive and people-driven, not infrastructure-driven.”

Responding, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP said: “…local growth funding will direct capital funding into the enabling infrastructure that is required for boosting the Northern Ireland economy.” She added: “That sits alongside a £19.3 billion spending review settlement and £370 million in Budget funding to the Executive, which has the flexibility to support programmes delivered by the voluntary and community sector.”

In closing, Ms. Fahnbulleh noted: “…but as we have heard, the voluntary and community sector is under huge pressure, and we are committed to working with the Northern Ireland Office and the Executive to find ways to support the sector through the transition.”

 Treasury unpacks small parcel charges during Lords’ debate 

In the House of Lords on Thursday, Baroness Hoey asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Livermore for the Government’s assessment of the new tax on small parcels entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain as a result of the EU’s change to the duty relief exemption.

Responding, Lord Livermore told Members that the facilitations under the Windsor Framework are unaffected by this change, meaning that: “…goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland can continue to move under the UK Carrier Scheme and the UK Internal Market Scheme without the need to pay duty.”  

With regards the EU proposal for a €2 handling charge on small parcels,  Lord Livermore said that while the [UK Government] was aware that  the EU is considering plans to introduce a handling fee for every consumer parcel imported by November 2026: “…it has not yet finalised its plans or published final legislation, so we have not yet carried out an assessment of its implications at this point.”

He added that the UK Government will remove low-value import relief on goods entering the UK by March 2029 at the latest and that the ongoing consultation on this proposal is due to close on 6 March 2026.  

Lord Livermore touched on the ongoing negotiations with the EU, with specific regard to an SPS agreement and electricity and emissions trading, which he said: “… will have beneficial effects for businesses trading with Northern Ireland and the EU.” You can read the full exchange with Lord Livermore here: 

 Should I stay or should I go? MPs debate impact of 2016 EU membership referendum  

A Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday 24 February focused on the ‘Impact of the 2016 EU membership referendum on the UK’.

Opening the debate, Stephen Gethins, MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, described the period since the UK left the EU as: “…a lost decade for the economy, a lost decade for business, and a lost decade for future generations and in particular our young people, which has left us poorer, more isolated and less secure in a changing world.”

Mr. Gethins quoted the National Bureau of Economic Research, stating that: “… £90 billion has been lost in tax revenues, or £250 million every day.”  

He noted that while he was glad that the UK were rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme: “…there is a lost generation of those who never had it, and who no longer have freedom of movement, which allowed our young people to live and work in the EU.” He continued: “Eighty per cent of our 16 to 24-year olds want not a customs union, but to rejoin the EU. Seventy-five per cent of Scots want to rejoin, because Brexit has been a failure.”

Sorcha Eastwood MP said that while she did not spend her time relitigating Brexit: “…  for our community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland, the legacy is that we have never had the European social funds replaced like for like by any Government since we left the EU, and that is a disgraceful legacy.”

Responding to the debate on behalf of the government, the Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Chris Ward MP told Members: “Last year, the Prime Minister hosted the first UK EU summit, where we agreed the first stage: the common understanding and a new framework for UK EU relations.”  

He reiterated that this included: an SPS deal; a new security and defence partnership; negotiations to access the EU’s internal electricity market; a youth experience scheme and re-entry into Erasmus+. He said however, that the [government] would not try to relitigate the referendum result, but would instead: “… deliver a partnership with the EU, based on common economic and cultural interests and in the national interest, and turn the page on the last decade of failure.”  You can watch the debate in full here:

 Lords’ Take Note debate:  Unfinished Business: Resetting the UK-EU relationship 

 On Thursday, in the House of Lords, Lord Ricketts moved a motion to take note of the European Affairs Committee report, ‘Unfinished Business: Resetting the UK-EU relationship', which was published in November 2025.

Opening the debate, Lord Ricketts, the former Chair of the European Affairs Committee, told the House that the UK-EU reset: “…will be a continual process of adjustment and adaptation. There is no end point.” 

Lord Ricketts outlined a number of issues explored by the Committee during the inquiry and reflected in the report, including: security and defence co-operation with the EU; police and law enforcement co-operation; sanitary and phytosanitary checks on food and animal products, and on emissions trading systems.

He noted that witnesses providing evidence to the Committee had “supported the Government’s manifesto commitment to negotiate agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary checks on food and animal products, and on the emissions trading system”. He also noted that witnesses “supported the idea of exploring UK access to the EU single market for electricity trading”, observing that negotiations on this are now under way. 

Welcoming the publication of the report, Lord Dodds said: “…the process in these negotiations is very uncertain and it remains to be seen whether the outcome will be in the best interests of the United Kingdom.” 

While recognising that Northern Ireland was not within the remit of the Committee’s inquiry, Lord Dodds added that, in the context of the debate, “… it is important that we reflect the fact that we have the Windsor Framework/Protocol, which impacts not just on Northern Ireland’s trade, politics and constitutional position but directly on the United Kingdom…” Lord Dodds stressed that: “In our view, unless the Windsor Framework/Protocol is fundamentally dealt with, there can be no genuine reset of relations with the UK.” 

Lord Murphy discussed his Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, stressing that he had made a number of recommendations to the Government to try to improve the working of the Windsor Framework. He told the House that: “…there is no doubt that the burdens placed on Northern Ireland businesses, large, medium and small, are huge.” Lord Murphy urged the government to: “… act speedily on the recommendations I made, which have all been accepted by the Government. I hope, too, that the European Union will be speedy in the negotiations.”

Responding to the debate on behalf of the government, the Lords Spokesperson for the Cabinet Office, Baroness Anderson told Members that the report: “…was an important opportunity to look at the positive progress the Government have made on our manifesto commitment.” She concluded: “The Government remain committed to strengthening our strategic partnership with the European Union and delivering real results for the people of the UK while sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto.”  The motion was agreed. 

You can read the European Affairs Committee report here and watch the debate in full here:  

 UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement signed

On Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, delivered a statement in the House of Commons on the signing of the UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement.  

Mr. Kyle told MPs that this is the first supplementary agreement to the UK‑EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed since the TCA came into force in 2021, noting that it demonstrates:  “…our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation between the UK and the EU for our mutual benefit.” 

The agreement lays down clear principles of cooperation to ensure smooth interactions between the EU and UK on competition matters. 

Mr. Kyle emphasised that the Government’s central mission is to deliver economic growth, adding that: “Effective competition in dynamic markets drives investment, innovation, productivity and, ultimately, growth. As set out in the Industrial Strategy, strengthening competition and refining the competition regime are essential to achieving this mission, with a commitment to “unlock the full potential of competition to increase market dynamism and growth”. 

A European Commission press release explains the Agreement “will be a 'supplementing agreement' to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which provides in broader terms the basis for competition cooperation and coordination, while foreseeing the possibility to enter into a separate agreement on competition cooperation.”  

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition stated: “The agreement provides a clear framework for cooperation between the EU and the UK on competition matters, and reaffirms our shared commitment to maintaining fair and competitive markets to the benefit of consumers, businesses and innovation.”  

You can read the full statement from Minister Kyle here and the press release from the European Commission here. Commissioner Ribera’s full remarks can be read here: 

 President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola visits the UK

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola visited London last week, where she met with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP and the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy MP. The President also held a bilateral meeting with House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle at Speaker’s House, before meeting with Committee Chairs and other MPs.  

Her visit focused on a "reset" of UK-EU partnership, urging cooperation on security and trade, and included a keynote speech at the Chatham House Security & Defence Conference 2026, on Wednesday, 25 February.  

Opening her speech at the conference, the President told attendees that she carried one simple message: “… it is time to reset the partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom in a manner that respects the choice of the British people, but that is able to respond to today’s realities in a pragmatic, common sense, win-win approach.” You can read the President’s speech in full here.

The President’s visit was also covered by news outlets including: The Telegraph (behind a paywall) and the Malta Independent. 

 Draft UK–EU Agreement reached in respect of Gibraltar

On Thursday, 26 February, the UK Government published a draft Treaty on Gibraltar, alongside the EU, which it said: “will protect sovereignty, UK military autonomy and secure Gibraltar’s economic future.”

A press release from the UK Government set out the main elements of the draft Treaty, stating that it will “protect British sovereignty, UK military autonomy and secure Gibraltar’s economic future”. The UK Government also stated that the Treaty would avoid the need for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border.  

The publication of the draft Treaty garnered substantial media coverage with Sky News reporting: Schengen rules will apply at Gibraltar border under post-Brexit deal. The story has also been reported by the BBC, ITV , The Independent and a number of other outlets including The Times and The Telegraph (both behind a paywall).

You can read the draft Treaty in full here:

 This Week in the Assembly

Today, during Private Members’ Business, the Assembly debated a motion on the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

The motion calls on the Assembly to note: ‘that Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 2026; recognises that this presents a significant strategic opportunity for Northern Ireland, including in addressing ongoing practical issues arising from Brexit, strengthening east–west and north–south cooperation, and maximising opportunities for EU engagement and investment in areas such as infrastructure, research and innovation, energy, skills and cross-border public services…’ You can read the full text of the motion here:  

The Minister for the Economy was also in the Chamber today to deliver a statement on the British-Irish Council Energy Ministerial Meeting.  

Also, during Private Members’ Business this afternoon, a motion on Promoting Cross-Border Education was moved. You can read the motion here:  

Meanwhile on Thursday, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will receive an update from the Minister, Andrew Muir MLA, on departmental priorities and Progress.

Members will also take evidence from Stena Line and the UK Chamber of Shipping on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026. We covered the initial departmental briefing on the order in last week’s edition of Brexit and Beyond

 Parliamentary Planner 

Our regular guide to EU and Brexit related debates, questions and Committee evidence sessions coming up this week in other parliaments and legislatures.

House of Lords 

On Wednesday, 4 March, the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee will take evidence on a follow-up inquiry re: Strengthening Northern Ireland's voice in the context of the Windsor Framework. The inquiry will seek to examine some of the recent announcements made in the Government’s response to the Committee’s Report Northern Ireland after Brexit: Strengthening Northern Ireland’s voice in the context of the Windsor Framework, published in October 2025, and regarding Lord Murphy’s Independent Review of the Windsor Framework.

Giving evidence to the Committee this week are: Stuart Anderson, Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Alexander Kinnear, Parliamentary Officer at Ulster Farmers' Union and Roger Pollen, Head of FSB Northern Ireland.  You can watch the meeting live here:  

House of Commons  

Also on Wednesday in the House of Commons, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will hear from: the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP; Julie Harrison, Permanent Secretary at Northern Ireland Office; Matthew Patrick MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at Northern Ireland Office; and Fleur Johnson, Windsor Framework Director at Cabinet Office. You can watch the meeting here:  

During questions to the Wales Office on Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Wales is expected to respond to a question on what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement on Welsh farmers.

Tabled questions to the Cabinet Office on Thursday include: what recent discussions the Minister has had with EU counterparts on topics of mutual interest; what recent progress has made on strengthening the relationship between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations and what recent discussions have been had with the European Commission on linking UK and EU emission trading systems. 

Senedd Cymru 

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee heard evidence this afternoon on matters related to legislation from Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, and Julie Thomas MS, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery.  

At its next meeting on Thursday, 5 March, the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee will take evidence on trade and borders and on rural affairs from Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning. 

An evidence paper submitted to the Committee in advance of the meeting and providing key policy development updates on trade and borders can be accessed here. A further evidence paper relating to key rural affairs achievements can be found here.  

 In case you missed it…