I wanted to reaffirm that the  Uk now has control over VAT for NI as well as for the rest of the UK. Some have been using the NI Protocol as an argument against cutting VAT.
Mr Baker:
If my right hon. Friend will agree, I would like to have a meeting with him, because I am very clear that the scope of law that can apply in Northern Ireland is that which is necessary to ensure the smooth flow of goods.
I have said before at this Dispatch Box that we were always going to have special arrangements for Northern Ireland. When I resigned from the then Government in 2018, the issue that I forced among our colleagues in the European Research Group was that of Northern Ireland. We wrote a paper that said that there would need to be alternative administrative and technical arrangements so that there could be an open border with the Republic of Ireland. We understood that there would be special arrangements. There was never going to be an open border with no arrangements to deal with it, and there was never going to be a hard border; it was always going to be necessary to do something unique and special in Northern Ireland.
As I have also said at this Dispatch Box, had this country gone forward with one united voice in accepting the referendum result, and had this country enjoyed the good quality of relations with Ireland and the EU that we enjoy today, we might have done better than leaving in place some EU law in Northern Ireland. I wish we had, but after all we have been through and the eight years it has taken to do it, I think that this settlement taken overall—the Windsor framework plus the Command Paper, including the Humble Address we are debating today—represents the moment to bank what I regard as a win and move forward constructively in the best interests of all the people of the UK, but also the people of the Republic of Ireland.
John Redwood:
Let me reassure the Minister that the Secretary of State gave me a very clear assurance in this House that we can legislate for VAT for Northern Ireland —so I am not quite sure why he was querying that.
February 28, 2024
Sir John, please confirm the command paper you reference is CP1021, “Safeguarding Northern ireland”, published in Janury 2024.
February 28, 2024
While current EU law is allowed to operate in NI, and interference exists to internal UK/NI trade, we have an unacceptable situation.
If the EU fear criminal activity, they can prosecute it where found and the UK likewise.
If the EU cannot see this and respond to it, we must act unilaterally. The only party prepared to is Reform reference page 16 of their proposed contract, bullet point three of, ” Critical reforms needed in the first 100 days”. So if you want this done, you know what to do come the GE.
February 28, 2024
JR, do not trust him. Think red diesel and how ECJ punished the whole of the UK £34 million to make their point persuasive to change UK law!! Baker should not need reminding we voted leave EU and allegedly left and he ought to know his onions as minister, if he does not clear off because he is not up to the job! Since becoming a minister again he has taken a weak kneed approach befitting of a remainer. He together with Heston-Harris coerced DUP to accept Sunak’s rotten EU sell out agreement. Time for the Baker and Heaton-Harris types to be ousted ASAP. What part of leave as one nation did the tossers not understand?
Baker and Davis did not have the brains to work out what treacherous May and her side kick Robbins were doing under their noses!!
February 28, 2024
This agreement signs the death warrant of the United Kingdom and paves the way for a united Ireland.
History will judge Sunak will contempt
February 28, 2024
The real acid test is – Do we have to check a book, a regulation, an agreement, a treaty, ask permission from Eire and the European Union before we alter the NI VAT rate ….this Tory government has failed this acid test
February 28, 2024
Leave as one nation with NO border down the Irish Sea and no checks from one part of our country to another, several Tory cowardly PMs made that promise and all failed to deliver!!
Tell us why JR?
February 28, 2024
Your remark is beyond strange. Northern Ireland is subject to the EU rules on VAT (and a lot more besides). Surely you have read the relevant documents (Protocol, Windsor Frameowrk) which are perfectly clear on this
February 28, 2024
EU VAT rules and rates for Goods. UK VAT rules for services. Some EU members reduced fuel Excise duties by €14 – 20; (the UK by 5p). VAT rates were not changed but in cash terms they got reduced.
February 28, 2024
Sorry €cents
February 28, 2024
You’re asking entirely the wrong people. You need to ask the EU whether the UK can cut VAT on fuel in NI – I doubt you’d get such an evasive reply from them. As to the Conservatives it is a somewhat pointless question as they don’t want to cut VAT anyway.
February 28, 2024
Correct – VAT is a gravy train
February 28, 2024
The follow up meeting will be more informative I suspect.
The Minister appears sceptical that we can change VAT in Northern Ireland.
February 28, 2024
As usual an obscure answer. Can we, or can we not decide VAT rates etc for N.Ireland.
Yes or No!
February 28, 2024
Why can’t you ever get a definitive answer from these idiots.
You know they’re lying because their lips are moving.
February 28, 2024
It demonstrates his current actions are in stark contrast to when he was a Brexit minister with Davis!! If he answered truthfully he would embarrass himself. I hope he loses his seat treacherous fool.
February 28, 2024
So the answer Re. VAT is Errrr dunno.
Well I wish you lot would sort it out and soon. Then remove VAT from our domestic energy bills. Don’t you think they’re high enough as it is?
February 28, 2024
The governments inability to clearly state yes or no to a simple NI VAT question, means that the EU is still in control of setting the NI VAT rate …..and by association the GB VAT rate
February 28, 2024
And you believed him?
February 28, 2024
Ha ha ha ha … he wants a private meeting!!!
February 28, 2024
Not another ‘private’ meeting in the holiday inn ….with Richard Tice perhaps
February 28, 2024
minutes will be redacted….
February 28, 2024
Mr Baker has been under the grill yet remains raw and unconnected.
February 28, 2024
Currently Yulia Navalnaya is addressing the EU parliament and TV is showing many of their members scrolling through their mobile phones. This surely demonstrates a lack of interest outside their narrow EU perspective.
February 28, 2024
Why would they take an interest in the widow of a man who was no more than a very minor player in a foreign country? Because her husband was CIA-funded, including his studies at Yale? Not a good reason. If I was an MEP, I wouldn’t see any call to take a serious interest in her.
February 28, 2024
any interest with Putin murdering his nationals whereever they are in the world?
Including bringing novichok in and being very careless with it?
As the EU, indirectly through spineless Germany, are stuck licking his boots, what do you expect?
It brings a new view of methods when compared to Stalin and Trotsky – ice-pick indeed!
February 29, 2024
You seem very well-informed on Mr Putin’s activities, MT, so perhaps you could tell me where I can find CCTV footage of Russian agents coming up and smearing Novichok on the door handle of a safehouse in Salisbury. (I’ve never yet seen a front door with a handle on the outside, but never mind, that’s the official story.) I’ve wondered a lot about this, but perhaps you know where to see this footage online.
February 29, 2024
Nonsense – we have a handle (on the outside of our external door plus a key operated mortice lock) plus a Yale.
Do a bit of research of DIY websites, it does help not to hold forth outside of your back-passage!
February 29, 2024
Are you wearing your hat so low that it covers your eyes. Every house in my road has a handle on the front door. In fact with many plastic and composite doors the handle has to be lifted to lock the door.
February 28, 2024
Steve Baker, once a highly respected and principled Brexiteer, now a sullied and compromised Minister of State.
February 28, 2024
taking the Government’s shilling.
February 28, 2024
The answer is that the EU decides the VAT rate in Northern Ireland, and there the rest of the UK.
The fact you get waffle instead of a straightforward answer tells you that.
February 28, 2024
Correct
February 28, 2024
So what did Mr Baker have to tell you after you’d explained the Secretary had already affirmed the VAT legislation possibility? Any apologies? Or is that silence yet another way of saving face?
February 28, 2024
Why are we rescuing illegal’s in French waters …I’ve never heard of the French ever rescuing anyone in English waters
February 28, 2024
That’s the real scandal. They should be returned straight to France, no ifs, buts or maybes. Just as France would do if the roles reversed. Their Ambassador should be summoned and told to secure its border or expect enforcement and reciprocal action by the UK. Not this feeble Tory administration. Reform will!