The UK-EU reset: rebuilding a strategic partnership in uncertain times

Foreign Affairs Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 7 Mar 2025 Parliament page
The Foreign Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into the Government’s proposed reset of the UK-EU relationship. The inquiry will consider all facets of the reset, across the three “pillars” articulated by the Government (security, safety and prosperity) with a particular focus on how the reset process can be engaged … Read more
33 Recommendations
52 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
4 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
21 May
2026
Report published
21 May
2026
Correspondence
4 Mar
2026
Report published
8 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
8 Sep
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
25 Jun
2025
Correspondence
18 May
2025
Correspondence
15 May
2025
Correspondence
6 May
2025
Oral evidence
6 May
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
29 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
29 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
8 Sep 2025
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Hermione Gough · Cabinet Office Nick Heath · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · Cabinet Office Stephen Doughty MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6 May 2025
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Charles Grant · Centre for European Reform Professor Richard Whitman · University of Kent Sophia Gaston · Kings College London
29 Apr 2025
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Naomi Smith · Best for Britain Professor Anand Menon · UK in a Changing Europe Professor David Paton · Nottingham University Business School
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Build… HC 857 4 Mar 2026 85 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
15 results
Clear
5 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
The Government’s deal with the EU to extend access to British waters for EU fishing...
The Government’s deal with the EU to extend access to British waters for EU fishing vessels by 12 years came as a~ surprise for many in the industry. Irrespective of the merits of the agreement, the Government should have consulted … Read more
Government Response
The government defends the fisheries agreement by saying it provides stability to the fishing industry and secures reciprocal access to EU waters, highlighting existing mechanisms for parliamentary scrutiny and funding for coastal communities.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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6 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
While the fisheries deal represents an extension of the status quo, the Government also had...
While the fisheries deal represents an extension of the status quo, the Government also had the option of using the end of the adjustment period to reduce access to its waters for EU vessels from 2026, or to offer an … Read more
Government Response
The government defends the fisheries agreement by saying it provides stability to the fishing industry and secures reciprocal access to EU waters, highlighting existing mechanisms for parliamentary scrutiny and funding for coastal communities.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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10 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We welcome the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.
We welcome the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership. It is a useful tool for structured dialogue and cooperation in a key area of mutual interest, without constraining the UK’s ability to conduct its foreign, defence and security policies as it … Read more
Government Response
The Government reaffirms its commitment to coordinate with the EU and its Member States to provide aid and assistance to Ukraine, including in Ukraine obtaining compensation from Russia. They state they are already leveraging immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine and will continue to work closely with the G7 and EU.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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12 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We urge the Government to continue discussions with the EU and its Member States with...
We urge the Government to continue discussions with the EU and its Member States with respect to the coordinated use of immobilised Russian Sovereign assets to provide financial support to Kyiv, to ensure that Russia pays for the damage it … Read more
Government Response
The Government reaffirms its commitment to coordinate with the EU and its Member States to provide aid and assistance to Ukraine, including in Ukraine obtaining compensation from Russia. They state they are already leveraging immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine and will continue to work closely with the G7 and EU.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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17 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We also recommend the Government continues to monitor other EU defence initiatives closely, including the...
We also recommend the Government continues to monitor other EU defence initiatives closely, including the security component of its proposed new Competitiveness Fund, and report back to Parliament in due course on whether it believes it worth exploring options to … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the Committee’s interest in SAFE, but states that it was not able to conclude negotiations with an agreement. The UK will continue to monitor EU defense initiatives closely, engage bilaterally, and update Parliament on any significant developments.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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25 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We support the Government’s intention to act on the commitment made by its predecessor within...
We support the Government’s intention to act on the commitment made by its predecessor within the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to “seriously consider” linking the UK and EU emissions trading systems. An agreement to that effect would be of benefit … Read more
Government Response
The government has agreed to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, started technical negotiations on a food and drink agreement, and on linking Emissions Trading Schemes.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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26 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We ask the Government to provide clarity at the earliest opportunity about the state of...
We ask the Government to provide clarity at the earliest opportunity about the state of play of its engagement, if any, with the EU to agree an interim arrangement for British exports under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, while … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it has delivered on its manifesto commitments to reset relations with European partners, that closer alignment can benefit UK businesses, and that they are already aligning with the Single Market in some areas. They also engage with stakeholders through various forums.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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31 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
There is a range of views on the Committee regarding a Youth Experience Scheme.
There is a range of views on the Committee regarding a Youth Experience Scheme. Whilst there is an understanding that such a scheme would be a way of providing young people on both sides with new opportunities to travel and … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights a deal with the EU to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027 and ongoing negotiations on food and drink, Emissions Trading Schemes, and the single electricity market.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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32 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
Most Members of the Committee welcome the agreement on the UK’s re-entry into the Erasmus+...
Most Members of the Committee welcome the agreement on the UK’s re-entry into the Erasmus+ programme, and hope the necessary legal amendments under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement can be made swiftly so that the necessary practical steps can be … Read more
Government Response
The government has agreed to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, fulfilling a key commitment made at the UK-EU Summit.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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43 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
Following the deal on Erasmus+ having been finalised, and with Ministers having already expressed their...
Following the deal on Erasmus+ having been finalised, and with Ministers having already expressed their ambition for the proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to enter into force in 2027, we also ask the Government to outline when, following the … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights a deal with the EU to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027 and ongoing negotiations on food and drink, Emissions Trading Schemes, and the single electricity market.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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54 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We ask the Government to provide further information on the implementation of the commitment in...
We ask the Government to provide further information on the implementation of the commitment in the Joint Statement to hold high- level meetings with the EU on “joint strategic interests” in key areas such as trade and migration. We urge … Read more
Government Response
The Government states that it has already delivered on its commitment to high level meetings, citing regular engagement between the Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary, Minister Doughty, and EU representatives.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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58 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
With both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister now referring consistently to the economic “damage”...
With both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister now referring consistently to the economic “damage” resulting from the nature of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), we ask the Government to set out its views on which elements of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it has delivered on its manifesto commitments to reset relations with European partners, that closer alignment can benefit UK businesses, and that they are already aligning with the Single Market in some areas. They also engage with stakeholders through various forums.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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64 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
There has been considerable uncertainty about the scope and function of the review of the...
There has been considerable uncertainty about the scope and function of the review of the implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) which is required to take place this year. Although the 98 political summit process initiated in … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the review of the implementation of the TCA has been substantially delivered through commitments made at the 2025 UK-EU Summit and that the TCA is broadly functioning as expected. They also note that they remain committed to engaging with key stakeholders on how the TCA is being implemented.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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65 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
It is disappointing that the recent meeting of the Partnership Council did not provide more...
It is disappointing that the recent meeting of the Partnership Council did not provide more clarity about the process or intended outcome of the Review. We ask the Government to clarify the outcome of the “evaluation of implementation” of the … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the provisions for the review of the implementation of the TCA under Article 776 had been substantially delivered through the commitments made at the 2025 UK-EU Summit and the Common Understanding, and that compliance with TCA provisions continues to be scrutinised via its 19 Specialised Committees. They also produce biennial reports on the implementation of the TCA.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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70 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We recommend the Government and the EU should publicly announce the date for the next...
We recommend the Government and the EU should publicly announce the date for the next UK-EU summit as soon as possible, to create momentum in the on-going negotiations and concentrate minds on finding common ground on other outstanding issues to … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to holding annual summits with the EU and expects the next summit to take place in the first half of this year, while noting the date will be confirmed in due course.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 67 of 33 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 41
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 6
Rejected 1
Total 33 recs + 52 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
21 May 2026 From committee Letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, relating to the Government’s Response to the Committee's UK-EU reset Report, dated 20 May 2026
Parliament page
25 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office relating to the UK-EU reset, 15.06.25
Parliament page
18 May 2025 From committee Letter to the Prime Minister relating to UK-EU reset and upcoming summit, dated 13.05.25
Parliament page
15 May 2025 Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary relating to the Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), dated 08.05.2025
Parliament page