47
Accepted
We recommend that the Cabinet Office takes steps to strengthen inter-departmental flows of information on...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Cabinet Office takes steps to strengthen inter-departmental flows of information on EU negotiations with other Departments, to ensure sectoral expertise is efficiently incorporated into the UK negotiating position; that Departments are able to communicate on the state of negotiations in their policy areas to the relevant Select Committees and other interested parties; and so that they can prepare fully for the requirements that implementation of the envisaged agreements with the EU will place on them and their stakeholders. Once agreed it should be set out clearly how they plan to work together across departments and reviewed regularly to ensure that genuine cross-department collaboration and input occurs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 124)
Government Response Summary
The government states it already has a collaborative approach with a robust internal governance structure, regular inter-departmental meetings, and mechanisms for efficient information flow and stakeholder engagement. It affirms that these existing practices ensure sectoral expertise is incorporated and commits to continuing regular updates to Parliament.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government is committed to a collaborative and inclusive approach to EU negotiations. The Cabinet Office leads on UK-EU relations, coordinating closely with other government departments, including relevant policy departments, on all aspects of the UK’s relationship with the EU. This ensures that the UK’s negotiating position reflects the full range of government priorities and expertise. The Cabinet Office, led by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, has a robust internal governance structure for EU negotiations, including regular meetings with relevant departments and senior officials. This ensures that information flows efficiently between departments and that sectoral expertise is incorporated into the UK’s negotiating position. The Government also engages regularly with external stakeholders, including businesses, civil society organisations, and devolved administrations, to ensure that their views are taken into account in the negotiating process. This includes through formal mechanisms, such as the Domestic Advisory Group and the Civil Society Forum, as well as informal consultations and engagements. The Government is committed to transparency and accountability in its EU negotiations, and will continue to provide regular updates to Parliament and the public on progress. This includes through ministerial statements, parliamentary debates, and publications such as the biennial report on the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Prime Minister and Minister for the Cabinet Office also conduct regular strategic consultations with the EU on the overall relationship, including in their Security and Defence Partnership, last held in October. Further, the Chancellor hosted Commissioner Sefcovic and Dombrovskis, alongside the Minister for the Cabinet Office Nick Thomas-Symonds and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle on 2 February for a high-level exchange, where Ministers focused on UK-EU cooperation in relation to global economic and trade challenges.
Source
Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Addressee Bodies
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
04 Mar 2026