Select Committee · Foreign Affairs Committee

The UK-EU reset: rebuilding a strategic partnership in uncertain times

Status: Open Opened: 7 Mar 2025 39 recommendations 46 conclusions 1 report

The Foreign Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into the Government’s proposed reset of the UK-EU relationship. The inquiry will consider all facets of the reset, across the three “pillars” articulated by the Government (security, safety and prosperity) with a particular focus on how the reset process can be engaged to ensure the UK-EU partnership … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: … HC 857 4 Mar 2026 85 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
20 Conclusion 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

British companies lead the world in their work in editing crop genes to prevent disease,...

British companies lead the world in their work in editing crop genes to prevent disease, eradicate pests and enable crops to survive drought or flooding. Furthermore, the UK maintains some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. Since Brexit, the UK has had the power to set animal … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government welcomes continued efforts to reach a new Agreement on Gibraltar to ensure the continued fluidity of the border with Spain without diminishing UK sovereignty.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
23 Conclusion 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

We are also concerned about reports of a termination clause requiring potentially significant financial compensation...

We are also concerned about reports of a termination clause requiring potentially significant financial compensation to the EU if the UK were to exit the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement in the future. (Conclusion, Paragraph 74)

Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses its general approach to UK-EU relations, manifesto commitments, and seeking closer economic alignment without addressing the committee's specific concern about a financial compensation termination clause in a future Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
24 Recommendation 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

We ask the Government to provide examples of other agreements entered into by the UK...

We ask the Government to provide examples of other agreements entered into by the UK or EU where termination by one party would require the payment of compensation to the other. This will ensure that Parliament has the proper context when considering the relevant provision of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government response discusses relations with the EU, trade barriers, and agreements on fishing and emissions trading, but does not provide examples of agreements where termination requires compensation.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
27 Conclusion 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

Citizens of both the UK and EU face a sustained cost of living crisis, and...

Citizens of both the UK and EU face a sustained cost of living crisis, and the Committee supports the Government’s efforts to bring down energy bills by making electricity trading with the EU more efficient. However, we note there is no detail yet about the Government’s position for the talks … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government restates its commitment to not rejoining the Customs Union or Single Market, highlights areas where closer alignment can benefit the UK, and mentions engagement with stakeholders, but does not address the specific concerns about the details and timing of energy trading agreements with …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
59 Recommendation 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

In particular, in light of recent comments by Ministers, we also ask the Government to...

In particular, in light of recent comments by Ministers, we also ask the Government to clarify if it is reconsidering its “red lines” for the EU negotiations, particularly on the Single Market and customs matters, or if it can envisage any circumstances in which it would be prudent to do … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government restates its commitment to its existing 'red lines' and highlights existing areas of alignment with the Single Market, but does not directly address whether it is reconsidering those red lines or envisages circumstances in which it would be prudent to do so.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
69 Recommendation 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

To ensure the Strategic Partnership with the EU can deliver on its full potential, we...

To ensure the Strategic Partnership with the EU can deliver on its full potential, we recommend that the Government, with a view to informing its objectives for the next bilateral summit and beyond, publish a White Paper on the future of the UK-EU relationship. This should clearly articulate the overall … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government refers to its manifesto commitments and the Common Understanding, but does not commit to publishing a White Paper on the future of the UK-EU relationship, focusing instead on the upcoming summit.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
71 Conclusion 3rd Report – From a Common Understandin… Not Addressed

To date, the Government has been reluctant to be transparent with Parliament about the substance...

To date, the Government has been reluctant to be transparent with Parliament about the substance of its position in talks with the EU and progress in those negotiations. We are not asking for Ministers to give, in their words, a “running commentary”, but there is significant scope for improvement in … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government response discusses the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and the new strategic partnership with the EU but does not address the request for examples of agreements with compensation clauses for termination.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
8 Sep 2025 Hermione Gough · Cabinet Office, Nick Heath · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · Cabinet Office, Stephen Doughty MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office View ↗
6 May 2025 Charles Grant · Centre for European Reform, Professor Richard Whitman · University of Kent, Sophia Gaston · Kings College London View ↗
29 Apr 2025 Naomi Smith · Best for Britain, Professor Anand Menon · UK in a Changing Europe, Professor David Paton · Nottingham University Business School View ↗

Who gave evidence

10 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Charles Grant · Director Centre for European Reform 1
Hermione Gough · Director, EU Relations Cabinet Office 1
Naomi Smith · Chief Executive Officer Best for Britain 1
Nick Heath · Deputy Director, EU Department Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Professor Anand Menon · Director UK in a Changing Europe 1
Professor David Paton · Professor of Industrial Economics Nottingham University Business School 1
Professor Richard Whitman · Professor of Politics and International Relations University of Kent 1
Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · Minister for Constitution and European Relations Cabinet Office 1
Sophia Gaston · Visiting fellow Kings College London 1
Stephen Doughty MP · Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas T… Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
2 Jun 2026 Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office, relating to the Govern…
21 May 2026 From cttee Letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, relating to the Government’s Res…
25 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office relating to the UK-EU r…
18 May 2025 From cttee Letter to the Prime Minister relating to UK-EU reset and upcoming summit, dated…
15 May 2025 Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary relating to the…