The UK Government has formally accepted all the recommendations put forward in the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework.

The review was initiated following the democratic consent vote on the trading arrangements under the Windsor Framework, which was held in the Northern Ireland Assembly in December 2024. The review was led by the Rt Hon Lord Murphy of Torfaen, and his final recommendations were published in September 2025.

Responding to the Government's publication today, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, stated: "This Government remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that Northern Ireland's trading arrangements command the broadest possible support. Today's response to Lord Murphy's report shows we are taking practical steps in response to the views of businesses and communities."

The Secretary of State stressed the value of consensus: "We believe that the best and most sustainable results are achieved through agreed trading arrangements, and working in partnership with business and civic society. That is why we continue to work toward an SPS agreement with the EU from which Northern Ireland's traders and hauliers stand to resoundingly benefit."

Key recommendations in Lord Murphy's report included the establishment of an enhanced 'one stop shop' advice service for businesses, strengthened procedures for the Assembly to scrutinise EU regulations, and improved consultation mechanisms across all communities. The Government's formal response addresses all these points, aiming to further smooth the flow of trade within the UK internal market. Actions being taken include:

• Delivering the support businesses need: Taking forward £16.6 million in funding, allocated at the Budget, to provide an enhanced 'one stop shop' advice service for small businesses and new funding for Intertrade UK, specifically to boost trade within the UK.

• Championing Dual Market Access: Actively promoting the benefits of Northern Ireland's dual market access to businesses both domestically and internationally.

• Empowering the Assembly: Granting the Northern Ireland Assembly greater flexibility to scrutinise EU regulations within the statutory democratic scrutiny period.

• Better engagement: Improving engagement processes with a diverse range of sectoral stakeholders and businesses as the Government progresses with the Framework's implementation.

• Dealing with practical concerns: Exploring and developing a scheme to support small businesses trading with Northern Ireland who do not have a local presence to satisfy product safety rules, and preparing improvements to the Duty Reimbursement Scheme.

• Smooth trade flows further: Continuing work to smooth the movement of goods, including introducing new measures to safeguard the supply of veterinary medicines from 1 January 2026 and working to swiftly progress a future UK/EU SPS agreement.

The publication also noted the progress made by the Government over the preceding 12 months, which has seen a reduction in SPS 'identity checks' and the successful implementation of new arrangements for freight, parcels, and medicines.