Select committee: European Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
4th Report - The future UK-EU relationship
Published 29 Apr 2023
Paragraph 10
European Affairs Committee The future UK-EU relationship All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We received some fresh evidence relating to the wider economic and trade relationship. On the basis of this information we stand by key recommendations from our report on trade in goods, including that the Government should seek an agreement with the EU on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) rules, and that it should provide additional support for small businesses affected by the changes to trade arrangements. We also reiterate our view, expressed in our report on the UK-EU relationship in financial services, that the Government should seek to conclude the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the EU on financial services cooperation as soon as possible. It is disappointing that little progress has been made so far. We retain a close interest in these themes and will be monitoring developments closely, particularly in light of the improved atmosphere for UK-EU relations following the agreement on the Windsor Framework.
From: European Affairs Committee, 4th Report - The future UK-EU relationship, paragraph 10, 29 April 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 30 June 2023 (deadline 29 June 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government agrees with the Committee on the importance of regular UK-EU dialogue and cooperation, while declining or only noting several recommendations on institutional reform, defence, education and mobility.
- On Horizon Europe, it is in discussions and hopes they "will be successful", but says participation "must" be "fair for UK researchers, businesses and taxpayers"; it will implement its alternative, Pioneer, "if we are not able to secure association on fair and appropriate terms".
- On the Partnership Council meeting at least twice a year, it notes the TCA says 'at least once a year' and is "open to it meeting more often where business requires it".
- On education, it says it is "not exploring" adding a reciprocal element to the Turing Scheme, and "does not intend to negotiate resuming participation in any aspect of Erasmus+", citing value for money and the taxpayer.
- On linking emissions trading schemes, it "partially agrees"; "no decision on linking has been made" but it remains "open to cooperating with the EU on carbon pricing".