58
Accepted
With both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister now referring consistently to the economic “damage”...
Recommendation
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 the existing TCA are the source of such “damage”; confirm, as Ministerial statements suggest, that it is of the view that the current set of negotiating priorities with the EU are not sufficient to address them; and, if this is so, set out what further proposals it intends to make to improve trade relations with the EU and commit to time given in Parliament for scrutiny of these issues. (Recommendation, Paragraph 162) 97
Government Response Summary
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.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government was elected on the basis of manifesto commitments to reset relations with our European Partners, while sticking to our red lines – that we will not return to the Customs Union, Single Market, or freedom of movement. That is what this Government has delivered – though we are clear there is more to do. There are clear areas where closer alignment with the EU can benefit UK businesses, drive growth, create jobs and lower prices. We are already aligning with the Single Market in some areas to drive down the prices of food and energy. This could add up to £5.1 billion a year to our economy, increase agricultural exports to the EU by 16%, and mean lorries will spend less time in queues at the border. Ultimately, this could reduce pressure on food prices for consumers. The Government will look at other areas where the UK and EU can work together, as set out in our manifesto. Deeper economic integration is in our collective interest. As the Prime Minister has stated, we want closer economic cooperation with the EU. It will benefit British businesses, British workers and British security, The Government will continue to take a pragmatic, sector-by-sector approach. We recognise the importance of engaging industry as part of the UK-EU negotiations process, and the Government is in regular dialogue with stakeholders through both formal TCA fora, like the Domestic Advisory Group and the Civil Society Forum, and departmental-led fora on specific thematic issues. Turning to recommendation 24 - In June 2025, Mr Lammy wrote to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee to share the executive summaries of Sir Martin Donnelly’s reviews conducted in a personal, voluntary and unpaid capacity and independently from government, and the department’s response. It would not be appropriate to provide additional detail on individual review recommendations, which were made as independent
Source
Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Addressee Bodies
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.2 yrs
Report published
04 Mar 2026