Brexit and Beyond

28 September 2026

In this edition of Brexit and Beyond, we report back on last week’s Assembly Business and look forward to what’s coming up in plenary and Committee meetings this week.  

We report back on discussions in the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee, who last week ‘peeled’ back the info on new EU labelling proposals.

Meanwhile, a new platform for the Trader Support Service will launch next month, with the UK Government urging businesses to prepare now before the switchover.  

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

• Assembly Round-up
• Committee peels back the info on new EU labelling proposals
• Coming soon: New Platform for Trader Support Service
• ‘Made in Europe’ and UK-EU relations
• This week in the Assembly 
• Parliamentary Planner  
• In case you missed it… 

 Assembly Round-up

During Members’ Statements on Monday, 21 September, Diane Forsythe MLA told the Assembly that rising fuel prices are: “…crippling our households, businesses, sole traders, farmers and fishermen. It is pressurising our public services. It is felt by every person here.”  She referenced the UK Government’s recent intervention on electricity costs, stating: “It should not have taken a special scheme in Northern Ireland to sort it out. The zero rate on VAT for domestic electricity should have applied automatically. The Windsor framework was a barrier, and the Government need to stand up to the EU on that.” You can read the statement in full here.  

Dr. Steve Aiken MLA spoke during Members’ Statements to provide an update to the Assembly on his recent attendance at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s annual conference in Cape Town. Dr. Aiken outlined some of the themes discussed, including AI; the challenges to the international system of trade; war in the Horn of Africa; and gender-based violence. You can read Dr. Aiken’s statement in full here. 

On Monday afternoon, The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA delivered a statement to Members on his and the Minister for the Economy’s attendance at the 45th summit of the British-Irish Council (BIC), which took place in Guernsey on 9 and 10 July 2026.

The Minister told Members that the theme of the summit was nurturing beginnings, strengthening early years and family support for happy, healthy childhoods and lifelong well-being. He said that he and the Minister for the Economy had highlighted: “… the Executive's draft early learning and childcare strategy and its aims of supporting children's development, easing financial pressures on working families, and ensuring that the Northern Ireland childcare sector is stable and sustainable.”

The Minister further noted that they had stressed the Executive's commitment towards: “…tackling racism and supporting victims, including through the draft framework for race relations and the progression of legislation to strengthen penalties for hate crime.”

Responding to a question on support for the local voluntary and community sector in light of Brexit and the subsequent loss of EU funding, the Minister noted that this was not directly referenced at the BIC meeting, but told Members: “There is now a gap that needs to be filled, and the Member can be assured that the Executive will work together to do our best to make sure that we put what provision we can back in place, identifying the need that is there.” You can read the Minister’s statement and questions from Members here. 

 Committee peels back the info on new EU labelling proposals 

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At its meeting on Thursday, the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny (DSC) Committee received evidence from Department for Economy and Department of Infrastructure officials on a European Commission proposal for a Regulation as regards simplification and better use of digital options for energy and tyre labelling. The Regulation would amend two existing regulations which apply in NI under the Windsor Framework (as previously covered in the 7 September edition of Brexit and Beyond).  

Opening the evidence session, Mark McGregor from the Department for the Economy told Members that for energy labelled products: “…the proposal would remove the general requirement for a printed label to accompany every individual unit while retaining the requirement that the label is visible before purchase.”  

With regards tyre labelling, he said that: “Distributors would have more flexibility in how tyre information is displayed, including simplified information on nested displays where showing the full label is impractical.” 

Mr. McGregor told Members that the UK Government’s Explanatory Memorandum assesses impacts as limited and largely transitional. He added that: “…On the evidence currently available, this is a modernisation enforcement proposal rather than a fundamental change to energy or tyre policy.”  

Responding to questions submitted by the Committee, Mr. McGregor outlined the product groups in scope.  These included labelling for appliances such as domestic oven and range hoods; dishwashers, fridges and freezers as well as washing machines, tumble dryers and solid fuel boilers. The proposal would also cover labelling for electronic equipment such as tablets and smartphones. Mr. McGregor reiterated that the proposal: “…is not expected to introduce significant divergence in the substantive energy labelling requirements applying to products.”    

The Committee agreed that it would monitor the proposed legislation as it progresses through the EU legislative system. 

The Committee also discussed the new Windsor Framework Legislative Triage and Inter-institutional Co-ordination Group which has been set up in response to the findings of Lord Murphy’s Independent Review of the Windsor Framework. The Committee Clerk explained to Members that the purpose of the group is to support the Committee’s work by improving information sharing and coordination between Westminster Government Departments, Northern Ireland Executive Departments and officials in the Northern Ireland Assembly.  

The Committee heard that the Group will aim to ensure that the Committee receives accurate and timely information on relevant EU legislation, support NI Executive Departments in assessing impacts and opportunities arising from EU acts, as well as improving coordination on emerging issues. The process will be led by Cabinet Office, supported by the Executive Office and officials from the DSC Committee.  

You can watch Thursday’s meeting in full here.  

 Coming soon: New Platform for Trader Support Service  

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A press release issued by HM Revenue & Customs on 22 September urges businesses who use the Trader Support Service (TSS) to prepare now for the switchover to a new online platform, to ensure they can continue moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  

Gill Evans, HMRC’s Director of Customs Services and Operations, said: “Businesses should look out for their invitation email and pre-enrol before 20 October to ensure they can continue submitting declarations as normal.”

The press release states that HMRC has already contacted more than 66,000 registered businesses with relevant guidance, webinars and other support resources. It adds that the new platform delivered by Netcompany will be hosted on Gov.uk and will provide businesses with: “…improved functionality and enhanced support.” You can read the press release in full here.  

 ‘Made in Europe’ and UK-EU relations  

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Media discussion and commentary continued last week on the EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ scheme with a number of platforms highlighting UK concerns around the policy.  

In an article published by The Guardian on 22 September, the outlet reported that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham admitted: “…he had concerns about the bloc’s ‘made in Europe’ legislation.” The article further quoted the Prime Minister as stating: “We are making the argument we are not your enemies here ... we are not the problem. ‘Made in Europe’ is dealing with a different problem.” Mr. Burnham also warned that “…delicate UK/Ireland supply chains could end up being ‘collateral damage’ of any disagreement with the EU.”

A 23 September Politico article: EU warns UK not to put itself in a corner on Brexit reset, reports: “European officials warn the U.K. would be playing a high-risk game if it delays an upcoming summit over Brussels’ protectionist push.” The news piece added that: “The EU says it can’t negotiate on legislation that isn’t finished — and that how Made in Europe rules end up treating the U.K. is one small part of a big and ongoing debate among EU countries.”

Reporting by the Financial Times (behind a paywall) on 25 September says: EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriers. The article further quotes an EU official as stating: “A customs union would solve most of the problems of ‘Made in Europe’.”  

A Reuters article published on 22 September,  What is in Brussels' 'Made in EU' law and why is Britain worried?, summarises the background to the European Commission’s proposedIndustrial Accelerator Act (IAA) which includes the ‘Made in Europe’ provisions.  

Meanwhile, in a joint meeting this afternoon (28 September), the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection will consider the draft report from the Committees’ co-rapporteurs on the Industrial Accelerator Act. 

 This week in the Assembly

During Question Time this afternoon, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA outlined the requirements his department places on waste operators to identify, isolate and safely store lithium-ion batteries that arrive mixed with scrap metal and end-of-life vehicles.

Mr. Muir also responded to a question on what actions his department is taking to safeguard farm incomes in light of uncertainty around the new Farm Sustainability Payment and the wider transition away from legacy support schemes.  

The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA will be in the chamber on Tuesday for Question Time.   Among the questions tabled, the Minister is expected to outline the steps he is taking to protect the Community and Voluntary Sector following cuts in public funding as a result of the move from the Shared Prosperity Fund to the Local Growth Fund.

On Wednesday, the Committee for the Economy will hear evidence from the Northern Ireland Community and Voluntary Association (NICVA) on the impact of the Local Growth Fund on the community and voluntary sector. We reported last week on NICVA’s recent evidence on this issue to the Committee for Communities and you can read a summary of that meeting here.   

The Committee for the Economy will also consider the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: (Glass Container Drinks in Wales) Regulations 2026. The new regulations will create an exclusion from the market access principles for glass container drinks subject to the Welsh Deposit Return Scheme. Regular readers may recall that we covered the agreed exclusion for Wales:  Brass for Glass – UK Government grants Wales exclusion from Internal Market Act  in the 23 February edition of Brexit and Beyond.  

On Thursday, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will receive a briefing from departmental officials on The Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The Statutory Rule introduces a right of appeal against specified departmental enforcement decisions on plant protection products, ensuring compliance with Article 7 of the Official Controls Regulation under the Windsor Framework. The amendment addresses a gap in the 2020 Regulations, reducing the risk of legal challenge and ensuring full implementation of the regulatory requirements.

Also, on Thursday, the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC) will take evidence from departmental officials on Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. Regular readers will recall we have covered the progress of EU customs reforms in previous editions of Brexit and Beyond, including on1 September 2026and 30 March 2026.  

You can watch all Assembly plenary and Committee meetings live or via catch-up here.

 Parliamentary Planner  

The European Parliament  

This afternoon, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will debate: The priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, July - December 2026. The debate will include an exchange of views with Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.  

On Thursday, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety will debate the EU Emissions Trading System including monitoring, reporting and verification of maritime transport. 

 In case you missed it… 

• An article published in the I Paper on Saturday 26 September states: Inside the new Labour row over Brexit. The article reports that: “Divisions in the party are rising over closer ties with Europe.” (behind a paywall)