European Political Community

Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley) (Lab) and Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower) (Lab) asked the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, about the implications for the government's policies of the discussions at the European Political Community (EPC). In his response, the Minister stated that the discussions at the EPC had enhanced cooperation on European security and advanced the reset of the UK's relationship with Europe. He noted that the EPC summit brought together 46 European leaders, who recommitted to Ukraine's defence and announced a new call to action against the Russian shadow fleet. The UK also agreed cooperation arrangements with Slovenia and Slovakia to disrupt serious and organised crime, and announced an increased UK presence at Europol and an £84 million package to tackle upstream migration. Yuan Yang welcomed the Prime Minister's meetings with the Irish Taoiseach and the French President, and asked the Minister how he would build on those relationships to improve trade ties and boost British businesses trading with Europe. The Minister responded that these relationships with the UK's nearest neighbours and close allies are of great importance, and the government looks forward to working closely with the Irish and French governments to improve the trading relationship and help boost businesses, jobs, and economic growth. Tonia Antoniazzi asked the Minister to outline more about the additional support offered at the EPC summit and its expected impact. The Minister explained that in the margins of the EPC, 44 countries signed up to a UK-led call to action to tackle the Russian shadow fleet, and Ukraine signed bilateral security arrangements with Czechia and Slovenia. He also noted that the opening plenary discussion focused on the need for Europe to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. John Glen (Salisbury) (Con) asked the Minister to confirm how he will work with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and whether the Cabinet Office now runs the Europe desk in the FCDO. The Minister responded that the written ministerial statement issued by the Prime Minister clearly sets out the division of roles, and he looks forward to leading from the Cabinet Office on the cross-Department and cross-Whitehall UK-EU reset, while the FCDO will continue to deliver the diplomacy across Europe that is vital to that. Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD) welcomed the new Minister and the whole team to the Front Bench, and asked about discussions on extending the youth mobility scheme to the European Union. The Minister acknowledged that the government will not be returning to freedom of movement, but stated that the government wants economic and cultural ties to be far closer than they are at the moment, and that this is in the interests of both the UK and the EU.