Brexit Written questions

Brexit [1]

Question No: 2016/3364

Andrew Dismore

Do you think it is possible for a) London and b) the UK to remain in the single market without accepting the EU’s ‘4 freedoms’?

Written response from the Mayor

The Government must work to secure an agreement on access to the Single Market which allows London to retain its status as a world-leading centre of commerce.. This is vital for London – our city needs to be open to trade, investment and people – and to the rest of the UK which benefits greatly from London’s economic success. The extent to which the four freedoms – of capital, goods, services and people – operate will depend on the outcomes of negotiations with the EU, once the UK government has submitted the request to leave under Article 50. Until we leave the EU, London and the UK will remain fully part of the Single Market.

Brexit [2]

Question No: 2016/3365

Andrew Dismore

What impact has Brexit had so far, and what impact will it have on London’s Higher Education sector?

Written response from the Mayor

London is the higher education capital of the world, with more leading universities, and international students than any other city. I am committed to making sure our higher education institutions remain internationally competitive, and that London retains its status.

I recently hosted a roundtable at City Hall for Vice-Chancellors of our higher education institutions, to listen to their views on the impact of Brexit for the sector.

The impact of the vote to leave the EU is largely reputational at present, however the case that leaders of our HE institutions are concerned, not least due to the many thousands of EU students and staff based in our universities, who make an invaluable contribution, and to the importance of EU research funding. It is vital that London and the UK are seen as welcoming places to live, study and work. My three HE priorities for government in the shorter term are to: secure the long term status of EU nationals in the UK; clarify its funding policy for EU students starting in 2017/18; and to guarantee the UK’s future participation in EU research programmes.

Brexit [3]

Question No: 2016/3366

Andrew Dismore

What impact has Brexit had so far, and what impact will it have on London’s Knowledge Quarter?

Written response from the Mayor

The impact to date of the decision to leave the EU is difficult to assess – the UK is still a member and has full access to the Single Market. Before the UK requests to leave the EU by triggering Article 50, the Government must be clear on the type of deal it is seeking and that such a deal will include an agreement for access to the Single Market which enables London to retain its status as a leading centre for innovation and research. This is vital for the Knowledge Quarter which benefits greatly from access to European, as well as global talent and investment. Two immediate priorities need to be ensuring our continued involvement in EU research funding programmes and the securing the long term status of EU nationals living in the UK.

Brexit [4]

Question No: 2016/3367

Andrew Dismore

What impact has Brexit had so far, and what impact will it have on London’s high tech sector?

Written response from the Mayor

Despite the country’s decision to leave the European Union, there is no doubt that London will continue to be the booming and successful city it is today, open to talent and creativity from across the world and a leading destination for business.

London still ranks as Europe’s leading destination for technology and financial services, and is the best city in which to build a European operation according to a post-Brexit survey of over two hundred senior US tech executives commissioned by London & Partners. The majority of tech execs surveyed still rank London as Europe’s leading tech hub ahead of other cities such as Berlin, Paris and Dublin. While 57 per cent also view London as Europe’s leading financial services centre ahead of Frankfurt, Zurich and Amsterdam.

It is vital that the Government secures a deal for access to the Single Market that helps us to retain our status as a leading centre for tech. I am focused on getting a seat at the table of negotiations to get the best possible deal for London and we will convene when we know the Government’s – and the EU’s – initial position better.

Brexit [5]

Question No: 2016/3368

Andrew Dismore

What impact has Brexit had so far, and what impact will it have on London’s legal services sector

Written response from the Mayor

My staff are already in discussions with the Law Society about the threats and opportunities to the legal sector. Our incorruptible courts, language and legal system make London hard to beat and we will continue to press the advantages of English law and our legal services to overseas investors. London’s legal sector is agile, provides certainty and flexibility, with a strong arbitration sector as well. 

Brexit [6]

Question No: 2016/3369

Andrew Dismore

The legal services sector contributes £25.7bn to the UK economy per year with London hosting the head offices of 32% of solicitor firms. How will you ensure that the legal sector can continue to make a significant contribution to the London economy when the UK withdraws from the EU?

Written response from the Mayor

My staff are already in discussions with the Law Society about the threats and opportunities to the legal sector. Our incorruptible courts, language and legal system make London hard to beat and we will continue to press the advantages of English law and our legal services to overseas investors. London’s legal sector is agile, provides certainty and flexibility, with a strong arbitration sector as well. 

Brexit [7]

Question No: 2016/3370

Andrew Dismore

How will you engage with the legal services sector to find out what their priorities are for the UK’s Brexit negotiations with the EU?

Written response from the Mayor

My staff are already in discussions with the Law Society about the threats and opportunities to the legal sector. Our incorruptible courts, language and legal system make London hard to beat and we will continue to press the advantages of English law and our legal services to overseas investors. London’s legal sector is agile, provides certainty and flexibility, with a strong arbitration sector as well. 

Brexit [8]

Question No: 2016/3371

Andrew Dismore

England and Wales is regarded as a jurisdiction of choice internationally and English law in the governing law of contracts. How will you ensure that foreign businesses continue to see London as a global legal centre post-Brexit?

Written response from the Mayor

My staff are already in discussions with the Law Society about the threats and opportunities to the legal sector. Our incorruptible courts, language and legal system make London hard to beat and we will continue to press the advantages of English law and our legal services to overseas investors. London’s legal sector is agile, provides certainty and flexibility, with a strong arbitration sector as well. 

Brexit [9]

Question No: 2016/3372

Andrew Dismore

What discussions are you having with the UK Government to ensure that London remains a global legal centre?

Written response from the Mayor

We are in active discussions with UK Government to ensure that London remains a global centre for all of our key business sectors.

My staff are also in discussions with the Law Society about the threats and opportunities to the legal sector. Our incorruptible courts, language and legal system make London hard to beat and we will continue to press the advantages of English law and our legal services to overseas investors. London’s legal sector is agile, provides certainty and flexibility, with a strong arbitration sector as well. 

Brexit [10]

Question No: 2016/3373

Andrew Dismore

What discussions are you having with the UK Government on continuing to co-operate with EU partners on issues such as international crime and terrorism?

Written response from the Mayor

I have repeatedly made the case for a strong voice for London in the exit negotiations.

The MPS, National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Crime Agency are currently undertaking work to ascertain the operational requirements post-Brexit, and my Office for Policing and Crime is involved in these discussions. Once this is complete we will support policing in making the case to Government and EU institutions in the most appropriate way.

Brexit [11]

Question No: 2016/3374

Andrew Dismore

What discussions are you having with European partners to ensure there is cross-border cooperation on international crime and terrorism?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to MQ 2016 / 3373.

Brexit [12]

Question No: 2016/3375

Andrew Dismore

Will London still receive the almost 750 million Euros form the EU Regional Development and Social Funds awarded before the Brexit vote?

Written response from the Mayor

The €750m is London’s ‘notional allocation’ for the 2014-20 English European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund programmes, which are managed by the GLA in London.

The Government has confirmed that this funding is still available, albeit subject to potential future constraints:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-philip-hammond-guarantees-eu-funding-beyond-date-uk-leaves-the-eu

We expect suitably devolved domestic funding programmes to replace EU funds going forward.

London seat’ at the EU/Brexit negotiating table

Question No: 2016/3417

Andrew Dismore

Has the Government accepted the case for a ‘London seat’ at the EU/Brexit negotiating table?

Written response from the Mayor

I continue to meet with Ministers to make the strong case for London to have a seat at the Brexit negotiating table, alongside the devolved nations. These discussions are ongoing with Government.

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