1. First impressions of the Brexit White Paper. Welcome that the Government has at last set out its proposals on the future UK-EU relationship in the face of economic reality.
2. Having taken so long to get to this point, however, we are desperately short of time to sort everything out and many questions remain unanswered.
3. On the Facilitated Customs Arrangement for goods and agri-food, the key questions are: will the EU agree to it; how will it work in practice; how much bureaucracy for businesses will it involve; and can it be put in place by the end of the transition period in December 2020?
4. We have also yet to see a full proposal for a backstop arrangement to maintain an open and frictionless border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
5. Despite having a trade surplus with the EU in services - which make up nearly 80% of the UK’s economy - the Government admits that we will lose current levels of access to EU markets because it is not proposing to follow EU internal market rules.
6. No case is made as to why this would be in the national economic interest. The Government has said it wants an agreement with the EU on mutual recognition of professional qualifications and it has finally set out proposals for financial services.
7. While committing to end free movement of people, the Government has said very little about what will replace it. Many witnesses from business and services have told us that free movement is the most important issue for them and we urgently need clarity from ministers on this.
8. The commitment to continued participation in as many elements of foreign, security and defence policy co-operation as possible is welcome and very important for our future security.
9. Given the proposals, the Association Agreement model and governance seem sensible. However, it is clear that the CJEU will continue to have a very important say, if indirectly, in resolving any potential disputes about the proposed "common rulebook".
10. The Brexit Select Committee looks forward to taking evidence from the new Secretary of State, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, and Mr Oliver Robbins on 24th July.
PS There is a very long way to go on this and precious little time. We must get an agreement that helps all sectors of the British economy and all parts of the UK. No Deal would be disastrous for our country.
