Government cannot be given a blank cheque to concentrate power in its own hands - Peter Dowd

Peter Dowd MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to the Government’s customs resolutions and the publication of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill:

“While Labour recognises the need for the Government to begin preparations for an independent customs and tariff regime, that does not mean giving the Government a blank cheque to concentrate power in its own hands.

“The publication of the Government’s Bill on the establishment of the UK’s future customs and tariff regime is yet another example of Government legislation that gives large swathes of delegated powers to ministers with no reference to any meaningful parliamentary oversight. It is shocking the level of contempt this Conservative Government has for Parliament.

“Labour is committed to ensuring that any future changes to the UK’s customs and tariff regime face full parliamentary scrutiny and be considered on a similar footing to changes to the UK tax system. We therefore intend to amend the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill to reflect that commitment.”