Select committee: European Affairs Committee
Conclusion 21
4th Report - The future UK-EU relationship
Published 29 Apr 2023
Paragraph 93
European Affairs Committee The future UK-EU relationship All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
Every Government department, as well as the devolved administrations, has an interest in the UK’s relationship with the EU. In order to successfully manage the continually evolving relationship with the EU in a way that promotes and protects the UK’s interests, we consider that there needs to be a strong coordinating machinery in Whitehall and with UKMis to ensure coherence in the UK’s approach. We were therefore concerned to hear that internal coordination arrangements may not be working as effectively as they could be. Our own experience of engagement with the Government has borne this out.
From: European Affairs Committee, 4th Report - The future UK-EU relationship, paragraph 93, 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".