Figures from all three main unionist parties took aim at Westminster following recommendations from the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, which they argued fails to address the fundamental “damage” caused by the Irish Sea border.
It places Northern Ireland effectively within the EU in terms of trade rules to avoid a hard land border with the Republic of Ireland. As a result, goods moving from Great Britain and Northern Ireland require checks and customs paperwork.
The criticism comes despite ministers in London hailing the move as a major step forward and local business bodies including the NI Chamber and Horticultural Trades Association welcoming the development.
The Government confirmed on Tuesday that it had accepted in full the findings of the review led by former Northern Ireland Secretary Lord Murphy of Torfaen, which followed the December 2024 democratic consent vote in the Assembly.
The Government said the response would help smooth trade within the UK internal market, strengthen scrutiny of EU regulations at Stormont and provide enhanced support for businesses, including a new ‘one stop shop’ advice service and further promotion of Northern Ireland’s dual market access.
However, unionist leaders said the announcement amounted to little more than “tinkering around the edges” of a framework they argue continues to undermine Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.
Gavin Robinson
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Steve Aiken said the Government’s acceptance of the review was “welcome, but only cautiously so”, warning that it fell far short of resolving the real-world problems already facing businesses and consumers.
“It is encouraging, albeit indirectly, that His Majesty’s Government, the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, and other ‘faithful implementers’ now acknowledge that the Windsor Framework is far from delivering the ‘best of both worlds,’” Dr Aiken said.
“Significant mitigations will have to be put in place to minimise the impact of the Irish Sea border. But to pretend that these sensible proposals fix the problem is naïve.”
He said the consequences of the framework were already being felt, adding: “Businesses and consumers are facing real challenges. Major retailers like Amazon increasingly refuse deliveries, while serious issues remain with veterinary medicines, new vehicles, parcel charges and heightened HMRC scrutiny from 1 January.
“The so-called ‘gift’ of the Windsor Framework feels more like the work of the Grinch than Santa.”
TUV leader Jim Allister was even more blunt, dismissing both the Murphy Review and the Government’s response as “shallow and of no meaningful impact”.
“The Murphy Review was subject to a nationalist veto, as it was allowed only to recommend what would have cross-community support,” Mr Allister said. “Hence, it was never going to change the Union-dismantling fundamentals of the Protocol, despite those being renewed in December 2024 by the removal of the need for cross-community Assembly support.”
Steve Aiken
He added: “So, a response to nothing unsurprisingly amounts to nothing. Another £5m per annum to enforce the partitioning Irish Sea border is no source of joy for business, nor unionists.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP said the Government’s approach would leave the core problems untouched, despite accepting the review in full.
“Throwing more money at the problem and giving MLAs more time to consider harmful EU laws after the fact cannot be a sustainable long-term plan for dealing with the border in the Irish Sea,” Mr Robinson said.
He also added that Northern Ireland remained subject to laws made in Brussels while Great Britain was not, describing this as “the legal reality” that must be addressed if the arrangements were to endure.
In contrast, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said the Government remained committed to securing the broadest possible support for Northern Ireland’s trading arrangements.
“Today’s response to Lord Murphy’s report shows we are taking practical steps in response to the views of businesses and communities,” he said. “We believe the best and most sustainable results are achieved through agreed trading arrangements and working in partnership with business and civic society.”
Unionist leaders have hit out at the Windsor Framework after the UK Government accepted recommendations of the Independent Review led by Lord Murphy.
News Catch Up – Tuesday 16 December
The Government said the measures, including progress towards a future UK-EU SPS agreement, would help further smooth the flow of goods, though unionist parties insisted that without fundamental change, dissatisfaction would continue.
Organisations representing trade here were also positive about the review, with Suzanne Wylie from the NI Chamber “pleased” with the acceptance of the recommendations and the prospect of more cash for businesses.
“This investment marks a step forward in simplifying guidance and enhancing support for businesses navigating the Windsor Framework,” Ms Wylie said.
“As negotiations with the EU progress, especially regarding Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, it is essential that these discussions lead to a substantial reduction in red tape with Great Britain without delay. This is vital for Northern Ireland’s agrifood supply chain and to ensure consumers continue to benefit from a wide range of affordable choices.”
Meanwhile, the body representing garden retailers and suppliers said the Government’s move was signalling “a clear intent to address the practical issues that continue to affect our member businesses trading between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
Jennifer Pheasey from the Horticultural Trades Association added: “The focus must now be on swift implementation, supported by a clear and firm timeline for delivering all of the Review’s recommendations.”