Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted in Part
Publish a new roadmap for negotiating priorities for mutual recognition of qualifications.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government draws lessons from the slow pace of mutual professional qualification recognition negotiations to date, reassesses which mutual recognition agreements would contribute most to our mutual economic gain, and publishes a new roadmap of negotiating priorities for mutual recognition of qualifications. (Recommendation, Paragraph 86)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges limited progress on mutual professional qualification recognition and committed to establishing dedicated dialogues with the EU and working more closely with UK regulators to identify priority sectors for economic benefit. However, it does not explicitly commit to publishing a new roadmap of negotiating priorities.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
We recognise the importance of the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in supporting trade in services between the UK and EU. We remain committed to addressing these issues pragmatically and constructively. While progress under the TCA has been limited to date, we have now agreed with the EU to establish dedicated dialogues on the implementation of the TCA, and the recognition of professional qualifications. We anticipate that this forum will allow us to raise and address barriers affecting UK professionals seeking to practise in the EU and vice versa. Article 158 of the TCA provides the general mechanism for sector specific agreements on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. The Government has provided support to UK regulators to use this framework and agree recognition arrangements, including building capacity and capability through publishing technical guidance and grant funding. Going forward, we will work more closely with UK regulators and industry to identify priority professions where mutual recognition agreements would deliver the greatest economic benefit and support regulators to negotiate arrangements. The Committee gives aviation as an example of a sector which reports adverse effects of an absence of the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Aviation, including pilot and engineer licences, falls under Article 445 in the Aviation Safety chapter in the TCA, making it an example of a sector subject to a separate TCA arrangement. In cases like this, the Department for Business and Trade will work with the relevant government departments to engage with industry in line with the Government’s goal of improving trading relationships with the EU and improving recognition of professional qualifications. Looking ahead, we will continue to review our approach to ensure it reflects sector needs and maximises opportunities for mutual economic gain, with ongoing exploration of further routes for dialogue and cooperation with EU counterparts.