34
Acknowledged
Given the EU’s parallel concerns about the restrictions of the UK’s visa sponsorship scheme, it...
Conclusion
Given the EU’s parallel concerns about the restrictions of the UK’s visa sponsorship scheme, it is clear that this set of negotiations has two distinct strands. They are likely to require being treated as a package for the Government to achieve its objectives with respect to recognition of professional qualifications. (Conclusion, Paragraph 98)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's recommendations for expanding cooperation and states its commitment to strengthening economic ties and removing trade barriers for professionals and artists through engagement with the EU.
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government welcomes the Committee’s recommendations to expand cooperation with the EU on professional qualifications, business mobility, and cultural engagement. We are fully committed to strengthening our economic ties with the EU, our largest trading partner, to deliver jobs, growth and lower prices across the UK. The UK and the EU agreed a Common Understanding that committed both sides to enhance engagement on mobility. This includes a Youth Mobility Scheme to help young people to live, study and work in the UK and EU. This will allow young people to gain invaluable life experience and bolster our international links with our closest neighbours. On professional qualifications, the Government is engaging actively with the EU to enhance business mobility and to remove trade barriers for professionals. Since the Summit, the UK has agreed a MoU on professional qualifications with Switzerland, and is currently negotiating similar agreements with Canada and Australia. The Government is also exploring options to boost mobility for professionals with the EU and hopes to deliver a positive outcome from these negotiations. The Government has always been clear that we will not return to the principle of free movement with the EU. The Government remains fully committed to supporting the UK’s world-class cultural sector, and is actively working with the EU to facilitate the mobility of artists and creative professionals, including through the new Youth Experience Scheme. This will provide new opportunities to enhance the UK’s cultural influence and soft power in Europe. This includes regular discussions with the European Commission and Member States to identify and remove specific barriers for touring professionals. The Government has been clear in its objectives throughout these discussions, including the need to agree arrangements that facilitate short-term, multi-country tours across the EU for artists and creative professionals without the need for costly visas or complex administrative requirements. This Government is confident that through continued engagement with the EU, we will deliver a positive outcome for the UK’s cultural sector, helping it to unlock its full potential.
Source
Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Addressee Bodies
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
04 Mar 2026