The Ulster Unionist Party has called on the UK Government to pause any further implementation of the Windsor Framework, as the Government signals a clear shift towards closer regulatory alignment with the EU.

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:

Last week, the Ulster Unionist Party asked the Prime Minister to consider pausing any further introduction of Windsor Framework legislation, particularly as the Government’s clear direction of travel is towards ever-closer alignment between the UK and the EU. In the space of days, Labour ministers briefed Great Britain’s farming industry to prepare for an SPS agreement in 2027, while the Chancellor has since told industry that divergence from EU regulation would be by exception. Rather than forcing Northern Ireland into further costly and ultimately unnecessary divergence from our main market; our own country, now is the time to pause further implementation of the Windsor Framework. If the UK and EU are now negotiating in good faith, a pause on the introduction of additional EU regulations and directives would be both sensible and widely welcomed.”