The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Independent
Monitoring Panel met today (3 March) to discuss the panel's role
in scrutinising the ‘UK Internal Market Guarantee'.
Both parties discussed the announcement made to Parliament by the
Northern Ireland Secretary on 24 February 2025, confirming the
first six month reporting period for the Internal Market
Guarantee commenced on 1 January and will conclude on 30 June
2025. The Panel will report to the Secretary of State thereafter.
The Internal Market Guarantee relates to movements taking place
under the UK Internal Market System and undertakes that more than
80% of all freight movements from Great Britain to Northern
Ireland will be treated as ‘not at risk' of moving onwards to the
EU, and therefore moving within the UK internal market.
The members of the Panel expressed their commitment to the role
and thanked those who have been involved in supporting the
arrangements for it to scrutinise and report on goods movements
data. The Panel confirmed to the Secretary of State that it will
engage with business organisations representing affected traders
and other stakeholders in support of the commitments in
Safeguarding the Union Command Paper and commence that in the
second half of the reporting period.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
said:
“Today's meeting demonstrates our continued commitment to
protecting the UK internal market. I look forward to working with
the panel and receiving their recommendations.”
Alistair Hamilton, Chair of the Independent Monitoring
Panel said:
“Our desire is to ensure, within the parameters of the Windsor
Framework, that our work will help to reduce and remove burdens
for businesses and citizens and maximise the competitiveness and
opportunities for Northern Ireland businesses.”
Background
A commitment to establish the Independent Monitoring Panel was
made in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper published in
January 2024. The Panel's role is to report to the Government on:
- the performance of the ‘UK Internal Market Guarantee' as set
out in the Command Paper;
- the activities of public authorities delivering the
operational activity to give effect to the Windsor Framework; and
- how the Government's wider ambitions on improving UK-EU trade
could support smooth flows of trade within the UK internal
market.
On 19 September 2024, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
appointed Alistair Hamilton CBE, Aidan Reilly and Dr Anna
Jerzewska to the Panel.
Further information on the Panel's work will be made available
online in due course.
