UK-EU Relations

Question

What recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the future EU-UK relationship.

Question

Mr Speaker, I wish you and the Minister a happy St George's day. I congratulate my right hon. Friend on rejoining the EU Erasmus+ scheme. It is very exciting for students across the UK, including at the University of Reading. On energy prices, we are all paying the price of Trump's war in Iran. It is vital for us to work with our European allies to lower energy prices, including reducing the trade costs brought up by the Tories' bad Brexit deal. Will the Minister give us an update on his negotiations for the UK to participate in EU internal electricity markets?

Question

Mr Speaker, Happy St George's day to you and to the House. From pandemics and health emergencies to the impact of climate change and Russian aggression on our border, residents in Exeter know that the EU and the UK have shared challenges and opportunities. What discussions has the Minister had on forming a UK-EU resilience partnership, as suggested by UK in a Changing Europe, so we can effectively manage those shared challenges together?

Question

The European Union currently allows for food production methods that are either banned or being phased out in the UK, which is undercutting British farmers. Will the Minister outline what discussions have taken place with the European Union to ensure parity of welfare standards so that British farmers are not priced out of the market?

Question

Is the House right to understand that the Government believe that the economy has grown significantly less—measurably less—as a result of leaving the EU, and that this is one of the purposes behind the reset? [Hon. Members: “Yes!”] I hear Government Members saying yes. Could the Government then set that out, with all the evidence and arguments proving the case?

Question

I thank the Government for the grown-up approach they have taken to improving our relations with our friends and neighbours in the EU. In contrast—as we can see today—the Conservative party is still playing politics with our closest allies, and my generation has paid the price. With that in mind, will the Minister set out what steps are being taken to ensure that young people in Kettering and across the country take up the opportunity to study in the EU, now that we have rejoined the Erasmus scheme?

Question

I wish the House and you, Mr Speaker, a happy St George's day. I welcome the fact that the Government are taking steps to improve and deepen our trading relationship with Europe, which is absolutely crucial to businesses right across my constituency, which have told me again and again of the challenges they face as a direct result of this flawed Brexit process. Could the Minister set out what plans he has to ensure that proper parliamentary scrutiny is given to anything relating to improving relations with the EU, given that we no longer have a Select Committee that deals directly with those issues?

Question

The hon. Member highlights the UK's global lead in agri-tech and selective breeding thanks to flexible regulation, notably the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. He points out it would not have occurred under EU membership and questions if dynamic alignment with EU standards would jeopardise this success. Will the Minister commit to securing a carve-out for precision breeding?

Question

The hon. Member notes that the Minister has refused to give a commitment regarding the vital sector's demands and questions the impact of higher carbon prices on British farming. He asks if it is sensible to impose additional costs when farmers already face high fertilizer expenses and food security concerns.