Unfettered Access: Customs Arrangements in Northern Ireland after Brexit: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2019–21

This is the government's response, published 14 September 2020.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government's response sets out its approach to implementing the Protocol, stressing commitments to "unfettered access" and business support, while giving limited direct answers to several of the Committee's specific requests.

• On sharing Joint Committee papers, it says agendas and summary minutes "may be made public at the discretion of the co-chairs", balanced against "the need for sensitivity as negotiations progress". It says the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster "will continue to keep Parliament informed".
• On scrutiny of future EU legislation within the scope of the Protocol, the government states only that it "is considering the process" after the end of the Transition Period.
• On support for traders, it points to a free Trader Support Service "backed by up to £200 million in funding", saying the service "will be operational later this month". It says further guidance will follow "at the earliest opportunity" as EU discussions progress.
• On tariffs, it says there should be no tariffs on internal UK trade and that "full use will be made of waivers and reimbursements". On state aid, it will provide further information "before the end of the Transition Period".

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