UK ministers are in Brussels today, Tuesday 10 November, for a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee with the European Union, where decisions are due on the Windsor Framework and on two new EU laws that will apply in Northern Ireland. The talks are the latest step towards the UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November.

The Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, Hamish Falconer, is meeting the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, for the 16th meeting of the Joint Committee, held in person and by video conference. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is also in Brussels today to push for progress on agri-food trade, emissions trading and the EU's "Made in Europe" agenda ahead of the summit.

The Joint Committee is the body set up under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement to oversee how the agreement is put into practice, including citizens' rights and the Windsor Framework, the arrangement that governs trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

What is on the agenda

According to the agenda published by the government on 4 November, the meeting will begin with a stocktake of the work of the agreement's specialised committees since February, followed by an update on implementation, covering citizens' rights and the Windsor Framework. The committee will then adopt decisions and make a declaration, before any other business and closing remarks.

In a written statement to Parliament on 4 November, Falconer described the meeting as "an important milestone" in the run-up to the summit on 20 November, where the government aims to strike deals that will boost growth, cut red tape and provide more opportunities for young people.

Parcels protected from EU fee

At the meeting, the UK and the EU will sign a joint declaration ensuring that "not at risk" parcels sent to consumers in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework facilitation schemes are not affected by the EU's recently introduced handling fee, meaning they pay no fees or charges. Falconer set out the decision in his written statement, saying it would shield Northern Ireland parcels from the new charge.

The declaration is one of the practical outcomes expected from the session, and it follows concern from businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland about extra costs on goods arriving from Great Britain.

Two new EU laws for Northern Ireland

The committee will also agree to add two EU acts to the Windsor Framework. The first is the EU Forced Labour Regulation, which will apply in Northern Ireland alongside the government's plans for a mandatory due diligence regime across the UK for services and in Great Britain for goods, intended to take effect alongside the EU rules in December 2027.

The second is the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which will apply in Northern Ireland only in a limited and targeted way, covering the placing on the market of physical products with closely integrated AI systems.

Falconer told Parliament that neither measure would create a new regulatory border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The government will shortly submit explanatory memoranda to Parliament on each of the two decisions, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is writing to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly to update him on the next steps.

Road to the 20 November summit

The Joint Committee meeting sets the scene for the second UK-EU summit on 20 November, where Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. On the table at the summit are deals covering agri-food and drink products, emissions trading, a youth experience scheme and deeper cooperation on illegal immigration.

Reynolds and Falconer will also meet senior EU lawmakers in Brussels today to advance the summit negotiations, which the government says are aimed at lowering barriers for businesses and strengthening economic security. Falconer is co-chairing the Joint Committee session alongside Šefčovič, and the outcomes of today's meeting will be published once the committee has concluded.