10th Special Report - The Government's proposals for a future security partnership with the European Union: Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report

This is the government's response, published 22 September 2018.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government's response to the Committee's questions sets out its aim for a flexible, case-by-case security partnership with the EU, with the exact arrangements said to depend on negotiation.

• On timing, the government says its "preferred course" is for the future CFSP and CSDP partnership to be brought into effect during the Implementation Period, "providing suitable arrangements could be reached". It says entering the partnership before leaving the EU is not possible.
• On CSDP missions, the government confirms it intends to participate "on a case-by-case basis" and only after an autonomous UK decision. It says it would not deploy UK troops unless "fully satisfied" with objectives, military plans and execution.
• On PESCO and the European Defence Fund, the government says third-state participation arrangements are "still to be agreed" and it "cannot give a definitive answer" on military mobility involvement. It is concerned the draft Fund regulation "could exclude future UK participation".
• On parliamentary scrutiny, the government is "committed to providing both Houses with opportunities for scrutinising" its EU exit approach and will provide "opportunities for debate". The response does not commit to a specific debate or date.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error