Thank you for contacting me about the Trade Bill and New Clause 17.
I recognise the strength of feeling about the provisions in New Clause 17. However, for what I believe are sensible and practical reasons, I felt it best not to support the clause.
I have previously set out my views on the Trade Bill and the NHS on my website and these have not changed: https://www.guyopperman.co.uk/nhs-and-trade-agreements
However, it is important to bear in mind that the Trade Bill is a continuity Bill. The powers within the Bill could not be used to implement new free trade agreements with countries such as the US. Instead, the Bill only allows for trade agreements that we have been party to through our EU membership to be transitioned into UK law.
The NHS is already protected by specific carve outs, exceptions and reservations in these trade agreements. I know that my Ministerial colleagues have no intention of lowering standards in transitioned trade agreements, as the very purpose of these agreements is to replicate as close as possible the effects of existing commitments in EU agreements. Indeed, I can reassure you that none of the 20 continuity agreements signed have resulted in standards being lowered.
I also want to be clear that no future trade agreement will be allowed to undermine the guiding principle of the NHS: that it is universal and free at the point of need. I welcome the Government’s clear and absolute commitment that the NHS will be protected in any future trade agreement. Indeed, the price the NHS pays for drugs will not be on the table and nor will the services the NHS provides.
New Clause 17 is an example of the Opposition playing politics with our NHS. Whatever they claim, the NHS is not and will never be for sale to the US or for that matter in any trade negotiations with any country. As Trade Minister, Greg Hands said in response to Sir Kier Starmer’s public statement, ’This is a bare face lie by Starmer. He didn’t show up for a single minute of 4 and a half hours of debate on the Trade Bill on Monday, and it shows. The NHS is not and won’t be part of UK trade deals’.
I also want to stress that Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) does not, and cannot, force the privatisation of public services or oblige the Government to open the NHS to further competition. There is also yet to be a successful ISDS claim against the UK and nor has the threat of potential disputes affected the Government’s legislative programme.
I hope this response has reassured you that my views on the NHS have not changed. Thank you again for getting in touch.