Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Relations with the EU

Thursday 6 March 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions discussed relations with the EU on 2025-03-06
  • The UK Minister affirmed the Prime Minister's leadership in securing peace and security in Europe
  • The Minister responded to concerns about Brexit's economic and security impacts, emphasizing close collaboration with European partners

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP referenced Palmerston's quote about interests being eternal and perpetual, highlighting the importance of security in Europe and Ukraine.

Question

Palmerston said that this country has no eternal allies and no perpetual enemies, only interests which are eternal and perpetual. Does the Minister agree that it is in our eternal interests for there to be security in Europe and a sovereign Ukraine? Will he congratulate the Prime Minister on his statesmanship and leadership at this dangerous moment?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

I certainly join my hon. Friend in congratulating the Prime Minister on the careful and considered leadership he is showing at a time when we face a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our country and our continent. We remain absolutely committed to securing a lasting peace in Ukraine.

Answered
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Q2 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Ukraine Scotland Brexit
Context

The MP visited Ukraine where he saw the need for European solidarity following Trump’s betrayal. He believes that moving towards customs union and single market membership aligns better with UK interests.

Question

Last week, I was in Ukraine, where, following Trump’s betrayal, the need for European solidarity to defend our democracy has never been more evident. The unintended consequences of Brexit for our economy and our security are certainly very real. It is increasingly obvious that the UK cannot afford the luxury of splendid isolation. In the spirit of nothing being off the table, will the Minister’s Department start a discussion in government about the UK moving to customs union and single market membership? The closer and the quicker we align with our European partners, the safer we will all be.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

I always thought the SNP’s policy was one of splendid isolation, but that is certainly not the UK Government’s policy. Indeed, we are working very closely with our European partners. That is precisely the leadership that the Prime Minister has been showing in the past week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not address the specific ask of discussing customs union and single market membership.

How: Splendid Isolation

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Q3 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential consequences of a trade war between the US and EU, especially for Northern Ireland.

Question

We appear, regrettably, to be witnessing the start of a global trade war. Over the past week, the United States has placed tariffs on some of its major trading partners, and they have retaliated in kind. The President has said that he intends to place tariffs of 25% on EU goods soon. Should that happen, it is highly likely that the EU will respond. Even if the United Kingdom were to avoid tariffs, the consequences for Northern Ireland could be particularly complex. What conversations has the Paymaster General had with his European counterparts to ensure that Northern Ireland is not caught in the crossfire of a trade war?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

To reassure the hon. Gentleman, the Windsor framework taskforce is based in the Cabinet Office and I regularly discuss issues on Northern Ireland with my European counterparts. I can assure him that I will speak to Maroš Šefčovič on a number of occasions prior to 19 May.

Answered
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Q4 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Immigration Brexit
Context

The MP was glad to read reports that the Government intended to introduce a youth mobility scheme but was disappointed when it was ruled out by the Home Secretary.

Question

Two weeks ago, I was glad to read reports in The Times that the Government intend to introduce a youth mobility scheme between the UK and the EU. That would be good for our economy, while providing young British people with the opportunity to work and study abroad. That is what the British public want, with new polling showing that more than two thirds of the UK population are in favour of such a scheme, but last week the Home Secretary ruled it out. Will the Minister do the right thing, remove the unnecessary barriers facing young people in the UK and commit to negotiations on an EU-UK youth mobility scheme?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

The position of the Government is unchanged; we have no plans for a youth mobility scheme. We will, of course, always listen to sensible proposals from the EU, but they have to be within our red lines of no return to freedom of movement, no return to the single market and no return to the customs union.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to negotiations or removal of barriers.

How: Red Lines

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