3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit for the future

Select Committee

Foreign Affairs Committee HC 857 4 March 2026

Report Status Government responded

Conclusions & Recommendations 85 items (33 recs)

Source View on Parliament website

Government Response (AI assessment · 67 of 85 classified)

Accepted 15

Accepted in Part 1

Acknowledged 41

Deferred 3

Not Addressed 6

Rejected 1

Recommendations

9 results

6 Accepted

While the fisheries deal represents an extension of the status quo, the Government also had...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

12 Accepted

We urge the Government to continue discussions with the EU and its Member States with...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

17 Accepted

We also recommend the Government continues to monitor other EU defence initiatives closely, including the...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

26 Accepted

We ask the Government to provide clarity at the earliest opportunity about the state of...

Recommendation

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 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.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

43 Accepted

Following the deal on Erasmus+ having been finalised, and with Ministers having already expressed their...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

54 Accepted

We ask the Government to provide further information on the implementation of the commitment in...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

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 … Read more

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.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

65 Accepted

It is disappointing that the recent meeting of the Partnership Council did not provide more...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

70 Accepted

We recommend the Government and the EU should publicly announce the date for the next...

Recommendation

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 Summary

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

Conclusions (6) Observations and findings — click to expand

5 Conclusion Accepted

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 and managed expectations accordingly with the affected sectors ahead of …

Government Response Summary

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.

10 Conclusion Accepted

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 sees fit. We urge the UK, EU and EU Member …

Government Response Summary

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.

25 Conclusion Accepted

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 to both sides’ climate ambitions. An agreement on Emissions Trading …

Government Response Summary

The government has agreed to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, started technical negotiations on a food and drink agreement, and on linking Emissions Trading Schemes.

31 Conclusion Accepted

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 work, and strengthen cultural and personal ties between the UK …

Government Response Summary

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.

32 Conclusion Accepted

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 implemented without delay. (Conclusion, Paragraph 95)

Government Response Summary

The government has agreed to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, fulfilling a key commitment made at the UK-EU Summit.

64 Conclusion Accepted

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 May 2025 has, in the Minister’s words, “overtaken” the review, …

Government Response Summary

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.