Recommendations & Conclusions
15 items
1
Conclusion
10th Report – US Economic Prosperity De…
Acknowledged
The United States is expanding the use of trade policy to advance its strategic and security objectives. It is therefore welcome that the United Kingdom has achieved the Economic Prosperity Deal representing a new phase of UK-US economic engagement. (Conclusion, Paragraph 26)
Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of the US relationship and confirms it is building on the Economic Prosperity Deal and Tech Prosperity Deal to foster a future-facing partnership with significant investment commitments and cooperation on economic security, supply chains, and …
Department for Business and Trade
4
Conclusion
10th Report – US Economic Prosperity De…
Acknowledged
We welcome the extension of the treaty parliamentary scrutiny period from 10 to 20 sitting days, as set out in the Trade Strategy. However, we regret that scrutiny of the GT-EPD are limited due to the trade-related provisions having been negotiated outside a formal treaty process, and that an economic …
Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's concerns by listing past statements to the House and committing to continue informing Parliament on EPD developments, with any final agreement subject to established scrutiny procedures.
Department for Business and Trade
16
Conclusion
10th Report – US Economic Prosperity De…
Acknowledged
We were disappointed to hear that the Government were unable to provide support to the bioethanol industry to prevent the closure of the Vivergo plant. This has already had a substantial impact on domestic production capacity of bioethanol, associated supply chains, and the UK’s ability to produce CO₂ and animal …
Government response. The government acknowledges the concern by stating that DBT officials are continuing to monitor and assess risks across the supply chain in collaboration with other departments.
Department for Business and Trade
17
Recommendation
10th Report – US Economic Prosperity De…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Government continue to work urgently with the remaining UK bioethanol industry to co-design appropriate support measures. These should protect domestic production capacity and associated supply chains while medium-term supply side policies take effect. (Recommendation, Paragraph 99) Building towards the Economic Prosperity Deal
Government response. The government states that DBT officials are continuing to work closely with other government departments to monitor and assess risks across the supply chain, but it does not specifically commit to co-designing support measures with the bioethanol industry.
Department for Business and Trade
18
Recommendation
10th Report – US Economic Prosperity De…
Acknowledged
The Government must now drive forward further negotiations with the US to de-risk the threat of future tariffs, seek to match EU terms where those are preferential to those for the UK, lock in agreed tariff reductions and expanding co-operation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 104)
Government response. The government states that UK-US discussions are continuing under the EPD General Terms, with a view to achieving a significantly preferential outcome and expanding the agreement, but it provides no specific commitments or timelines for de-risking tariffs or matching EU …
Department for Business and Trade
26
Recommendation
10th Report – US Economic Prosperity De…
Acknowledged
Looking ahead, future commitments in the potential Economic Prosperity Deal must balance opportunities for growth in digital trade, AI, and services with strong protections for UK standards, tax sovereignty, and critical domestic industries. (Recommendation, Paragraph 141) 56
Government response. The government highlights the economic potential of digital technologies and AI, referencing the Tech Prosperity Deal and its commitment to ambitious digital trade provisions, and states it will continue to safeguard its ability to regulate the digital economy, but doesn't …
Department for Business and Trade
2
Conclusion
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The most immediate benefits are concentrated in goods sectors facing historically high Indian tariffs, particularly spirits and automotives, where the Agreement delivers commercially significant and predictable market access for the first time. The Agreement also delivers new market access in government procurement, with India opening its central government procurement market …
Government response. The government acknowledges the benefits of CETA, predicting it will boost UK GDP by £4.8bn by 2040, and that India will drop tariffs on 90% of lines.
Department for Business and Trade
5
Conclusion
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
While the Agreement provides greater certainty and stability for UK services providers, it delivers limited new market access into India. The practical value of the services provisions will therefore depend largely on effective implementation, particularly progress on mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Notwithstanding the Agreement’s commitments and the establishment of …
Government response. The government states that they will identify and encourage mutually interested UK and Indian bodies to negotiate mutual recognition agreements for professional qualifications and will actively facilitate MRPQs where they are of mutual interest, but it is ultimately the regulators' …
Department for Business and Trade
7
Conclusion
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The Committee concludes that the Agreement does not introduce significant changes to India’s intellectual property regime that are likely to support growth in UK pharmaceutical exports. At the same time, the Committee recognises India’s role as a major producer of generic medicines and the importance of retaining some flexibility within …
Government response. The government states that the IP chapter goes beyond India's precedent in FTAs, supporting the economy through IP rights protection and enforcement. They will continue to advance this agenda through the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights and a specialist …
Department for Business and Trade
9
Conclusion
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The Agreement locks in and modestly extends existing arrangements for mobility. The Government maintains that the provisions are limited in scope and will not have a material impact on the UK labour market. (Conclusion, Paragraph 70)
Government response. The government acknowledges that the mobility provisions within CETA apply to short-term service supply and are not expected to have a material impact on the UK's labour market.
Department for Business and Trade
12
Recommendation
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The Government should ensure that its ongoing Responsible Business Conduct Review results in clear and enforceable expectations on UK businesses, including respect for human rights and labour rights within their supply chains. The Government should report to Parliament on the outcome of the Review. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80) UK-Indian investment
Government response. The government states that the Responsible Business Conduct review will be critical to ensuring businesses operate in a way that respects human rights, labour rights, the environment, and anti-corruption measures, and will update Parliament when the review is complete.
Department for Business and Trade
14
Conclusion
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The Committee notes evidence that uncertainty during the ratification period risks delaying commercial decisions, particularly in sectors where tariff reductions under the Agreement are commercially significant. Given the absence of provisional application, timely ratification and clear communication on implementation timelines will be critical to minimising disruption for UK businesses. (Conclusion, …
Government response. HM Government will continue to update Parliament regularly on preparation, utilisation, and tariff preference uptake and will endeavour to publish provisional data on utilisation rates within the first year.
Department for Business and Trade
15
Conclusion
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
Tariff liberalisation under the Agreement is commercially meaningful for key UK exports. However, long staging periods, complex rules of origin and administrative burdens risk limiting utilisation, particularly among SMEs. The Committee notes that some sectors, including textiles, ceramics and potentially dairy, may face increased competitive pressures as a result of …
Government response. HM Government will continue to update Parliament regularly on preparation, utilisation, and tariff preference uptake, will work with industry and the Government of India on concerns raised, and will establish clear and continuous feedback loops with UK businesses.
Department for Business and Trade
23
Recommendation
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment to make time available in the House of Commons for a debate on the Agreement during the CRaG period. However, we are disappointed that the Government intends to seek only a general debate. Given the limitations of CRaG scrutiny in practice, the Committee recommends …
Government response. The government states it is grateful for the scrutiny and proactively sought a debate in both Houses on this deal to recognize the relevant committees’ respective inquiries and commitment to transparency.
Department for Business and Trade
24
Recommendation
12th Report - UK-India Comprehensive Ec…
Acknowledged
The Government should commit to making time available in the House of Commons to debate all FTAs it agrees with other countries. (Recommendation, Paragraph 118) 79
Government response. The government reaffirms its commitment to provide a debate on any new trade deal during the statutory scrutiny period (where Parliamentary time allows).
Department for Business and Trade