Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-EU Relations

Thursday 22 January 2026 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The sanitary and phytosanitary agreement removes export health certificates and routine border checks, slashing costs and red tape for agrifood trade.
  • The UK agreed the new strategic security and defence partnership with the European Union in May of the previous year.
  • The Government will not rejoin the single market or the customs union, or go back to freedom of movement, but will negotiate a closer UK-EU relationship.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Yuan Yang Lab Earley and Woodley
Economy Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The latest inflation figures indicate persistent high food prices despite progress on energy costs. The issue of affordability is becoming increasingly pressing.

Question

Despite the Government's good progress on energy prices, food inflation remains stubbornly high, with even a Tesco meal deal stuck at £4.25. Given this situation and the need to make food more affordable, will the Minister update us on his negotiations over agrifood trade with the EU?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The sanitary and phytosanitary agreement removes export health certificates and routine border checks, slashing costs and red tape for agrifood trade. For example, businesses will save up to £200 per shipment, making trade cheaper and easier. The Conservative party wants to put those costs back.

Answered
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Q2 Victoria Collins Lib Dem Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Brexit
Context

The EU's relationship with the US has highlighted the strategic importance of UK-EU relations, especially given an estimated £90 billion economic deficit. Constituents like Hazel from Tring have experienced increased costs and bureaucracy since Brexit.

Question

Given the strength of power shown by the EU to the US, not only is the relationship with Europe more strategically important than ever, but it matters because of the £90 billion black hole in our economy. Given this context and the challenges faced by Hazel from Tring's medical devices business due to post-Brexit costs and bureaucracy, when will the Government finally start taking seriously negotiations on a new EU-UK customs deal?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

On the hon. Lady’s first point, we agreed the new strategic security and defence partnership with the European Union in May last year, which is absolutely crucial. On the point about the food and drink agreement, we agreed just before Christmas that that will be completed by the time of the next summit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: negotiations on a new EU-UK customs deal

How: Shifts To Discussing Strategic Security Partnership And Food And Drink Agreement Instead

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Q3 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

High-tech life sciences companies in Mid Sussex are facing regulatory and trade barriers post-Brexit, impacting their business operations.

Question

A close and strong relationship with our European partners is vital to our interests. Mid Sussex is home to high-tech life sciences companies such as CSL Behring and Roche Diagnostics, which have been impacted by the regulatory and trade barriers put up after Brexit. Given these challenges and the current US administration's unpredictability, does the Minister agree it is time for a bespoke customs union with the EU?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

Our democratic mandate from the general election is clear: we will not rejoin the single market or the customs union, or go back to freedom of movement. However, what we do, and what I do every single week, is negotiate that closer UK-EU relationship, which is in our national interest.

Partly answered

Not addressed: customs union proposal

How: Reiterates The Government'S Mandate Against Rejoining Customs Union

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Q4 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Brexit
Context

The Prime Minister previously stated a desire for closer alignment with the single market, which would involve following EU rules without direct say. Downing Street sources also mentioned potential costs.

Question

In November, Downing Street sources told journalists that it was accepted that the UK would have to pay billions of pounds for closer alignment and market access. Will the Paymaster General confirm to the House that that is his understanding?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

To clarify, there are no access fees in regard to either the emissions trading system linkage or the food and drink agreement that is being negotiated. That is absolutely clear. In terms of moving forward, we take pragmatic decisions in the national interest in various sectors, which is why we opened negotiations on electricity trading before Christmas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Costs for closer alignment with the single market were not directly addressed or confirmed.

How: Clarified, Pragmatic Decisions

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Q5 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Brexit
Context

The Liberal Democrats expect an EU reset Bill to update arrangements around the UK's relationship with its European neighbours, following a Brexit deal that trashed the economy and international standing.

Question

We expect an EU reset Bill in the coming months to update the arrangements around our relationship with our European neighbours. Does the Minister agree that Parliament should have the ability to fully scrutinise the legislation to ensure that the Government deliver the change that we need and that we can hold Ministers’ feet to the fire as they set up new structures or committees as needed?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

Well, on the basis of my exchange with the shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I thoroughly look forward to bringing the Bill to the Commons and debating it fully. Members should not just believe what I say, but look at what the supermarkets said about the deal that was struck last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Full parliamentary scrutiny was not directly confirmed or committed to in detail.

How: Bringing The Bill, Debate Fully

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Q6 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Trade Secretary and others suggested it would be 'crazy' not to look at a customs union with the EU. Many businesses face trade barriers post-Brexit.

Question

Yesterday, the Trade Secretary was the latest senior Government figure to break ranks by saying that it would be “crazy” not to look at a customs union with the EU. Does the Minister accept that it would save us all a lot of time, be the single biggest lever that the Government could pull to generate growth, and give those on his own Benches something that they are crying out for if he just agreed to crack on and start negotiations for a bespoke customs union with the EU?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

No, and the situation is not as the hon. Lady has described. The work that the Government are doing in building a closer EU-UK relationship is crucial, and we can do it alongside a trade deal with India and an economic deal with the United States that is saving jobs at Jaguar Land Rover.

Not addressed: Negotiations for a bespoke customs union were not agreed to or even discussed.

How: Not As Described, Crucial Work

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