Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Empey has described the Government’s confirmation that it cannot enforce its own tax policy in Northern Ireland without permission from the EU as a shocking admission of failure.  

Lord Empey said;

“If anyone is still in any doubt as to the impact the Protocol is having on the normal life of the United Kingdom and in the exercise of British sovereignty in Northern Ireland, then this written answer I have received should settle it. 

“We have now reached the stage where the United Kingdom Government cannot enforce taxation policy in a part of the UK unless the EU gives permission. 

“That is a truly shocking admission of failure which could never be accepted in any sovereign state. Once upon a time a Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced a budget and it was implemented right across this country. Now a Treasury Minister is telling me that the Government is ‘seeking a more flexible settlement with regard to the Northern Ireland Protocol to ensure all of the UK can benefit from tax changes such as the alcohol duty reforms announced at Budget. The Government will continue to discuss the application of the alcohol duty reforms to Northern Ireland with the EU.’

“If Her Majesty’s Government really cannot implement tax policies across the UK and requires EU permission to do so in Northern Ireland, then what it is really saying is that Northern Ireland is effectively under some form of joint authority between the UK and the EU.”