Recommendation 44

While we recognise that not all things can be negotiated in the open, there is a tension between exposing one’s hand and the transparency necessary for good parliamentary scrutiny. The Government will be better equipped to conduct the negotiations with the EU if it is well-informed through consultation and engagement, both with Parliament and with other stakeholders. Its approach to transparency of, and consultation on, the UK’s objectives for the sector-specific negotiations foreseen by the Common Understanding has been haphazard. More systematic outreach as the negotiations progress, or new negotiating strands are added, will also aid in the implementation of new arrangements with the EU in due course, as those affected will be prepared for them. By extension, this should help the benefits Government expects to accrue from these new agreements to materialise more rapidly. (Conclusion, Paragraph 119)