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
6 results
Clear
20 Conclusion Not Addressed
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
British companies lead the world in their work in editing crop genes to prevent disease,...
British companies lead the world in their work in editing crop genes to prevent disease, eradicate pests and enable crops to survive drought or flooding. Furthermore, the UK maintains some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. Since … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes continued efforts to reach a new Agreement on Gibraltar to ensure the continued fluidity of the border with Spain without diminishing UK sovereignty.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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24 Recommendation Not Addressed
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
We ask the Government to provide examples of other agreements entered into by the UK...
We ask the Government to provide examples of other agreements entered into by the UK or EU where termination by one party would require the payment of compensation to the other. This will ensure that Parliament has the proper context … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses relations with the EU, trade barriers, and agreements on fishing and emissions trading, but does not provide examples of agreements where termination requires compensation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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27 Conclusion Not Addressed
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
Citizens of both the UK and EU face a sustained cost of living crisis, and...
Citizens of both the UK and EU face a sustained cost of living crisis, and the Committee supports the Government’s efforts to bring down energy bills by making electricity trading with the EU more efficient. However, we note there is … Read more
Government Response
The government restates its commitment to not rejoining the Customs Union or Single Market, highlights areas where closer alignment can benefit the UK, and mentions engagement with stakeholders, but does not address the specific concerns about the details and timing of energy trading agreements with the EU.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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59 Recommendation Not Addressed
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
In particular, in light of recent comments by Ministers, we also ask the Government to...
In particular, in light of recent comments by Ministers, we also ask the Government to clarify if it is reconsidering its “red lines” for the EU negotiations, particularly on the Single Market and customs matters, or if it can envisage … Read more
Government Response
The government restates its commitment to its existing 'red lines' and highlights existing areas of alignment with the Single Market, but does not directly address whether it is reconsidering those red lines or envisages circumstances in which it would be prudent to do so.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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69 Recommendation Not Addressed
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
To ensure the Strategic Partnership with the EU can deliver on its full potential, we...
To ensure the Strategic Partnership with the EU can deliver on its full potential, we recommend that the Government, with a view to informing its objectives for the next bilateral summit and beyond, publish a White Paper on the future … Read more
Government Response
The government refers to its manifesto commitments and the Common Understanding, but does not commit to publishing a White Paper on the future of the UK-EU relationship, focusing instead on the upcoming summit.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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71 Conclusion Not Addressed
3rd Report – From a Common Underst…
To date, the Government has been reluctant to be transparent with Parliament about the substance...
To date, the Government has been reluctant to be transparent with Parliament about the substance of its position in talks with the EU and progress in those negotiations. We are not asking for Ministers to give, in their words, a … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and the new strategic partnership with the EU but does not address the request for examples of agreements with compensation clauses for termination.
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