Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Pitt-Watson on 26 October (HL Deb Col 929), whether they intend to seek reciprocal arrangements with the European Union at the EU-UK summit in November to allow fashion collections, samples, a
Answer
The Government is aware of concerns from the fashion sector about the administrative and cost burdens associated with importing and exporting goods and we continue to engage with businesses and representative organisations to understand the practical impacts. This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade with our closest trading partners. This is why the UK introduced digital ATA carnets on 1 June 2026, making the UK one of the first countries to do so alongside the EU, Switzerland and Norway. Digitising carnets replaces a paper-based process with a secure digital format, making them simpler for importers and exporters, including the fashion industry, to use. ATA Carnets are an optional facilitation, and it is a commercial decision for businesses and individuals whether to use them in place of individual customs declarations.14% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (30/100)
This reply only partly answers the question. On whether the Government will seek reciprocal arrangements at the November EU-UK summit, it offers general statements about engaging with businesses and reducing trade barriers but makes no specific commitment about the summit. On fashion samples and collections, it gives a concrete mechanism (optional digital ATA carnets from 1 June 2026, described as simpler for the industry), but it does not say whether reciprocal EU-UK arrangements would allow such goods to move. The person asking would most likely need to follow up for specifics on both points.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Government intends to seek reciprocal arrangements with the European Union at the EU-UK summit in November. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply never says whether the Government will seek reciprocal arrangements at the November EU-UK summit; it only notes sector concerns, ongoing engagement with businesses, and a generic commitment to reducing trade barriers with close partners, which is a gesture rather than a stated intention about the summit. |
| Whether any such reciprocal arrangements would allow fashion collections and samples (and the further items listed in the question, which is truncated) to move between the UK and the EU. | Partially Addressed | Direct | The reply gives a concrete mechanism that bears on fashion samples and collections (digital ATA carnets, introduced 1 June 2026, described as simpler for the fashion industry and optional), but it does not say whether reciprocal EU-UK arrangements would allow such goods to move, so it answers only part of the question. |