Select committee: European Affairs Committee

Conclusion 51

4th Report - The future UK-EU relationship Published 29 Apr 2023 Paragraph 235
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a clear example of how EU policy developments can have important implications for the UK, and of the need for the Government to engage early with the EU policy process to promote and protect the UK’s interests. There could be serious risks in terms of trade diversion and damage to mutual UK-EU trade if their respective CBAMs on third country trade were to diverge substantially.

From: European Affairs Committee, 4th Report - The future UK-EU relationship, paragraph 235, 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".

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