UK-EU Common Understanding Negotiations

Baroness Wheatcroft Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right to raise our security and defence relationships with the European Union. We see even today why that is so important in the ongoing discussions about Ukraine. On how we ensure this is part of our wider collaboration, it is incredibly important that our young people have a shared understanding of the world with young people from across the European Union, and that they understand the threats we face, which is why there is so much to be gained from us rejoining Erasmus+. I will have to write to the noble Baroness with an update on what the specifics will look like with regard to research, but I will follow up in the new year, if she will forgive me.

[Baroness Wheatcroft (CB)]

My Lords, this is really good news and I welcome it on all counts, in particular the food and drink deal we are moving towards, because so many small businesses have simply stopped exporting to the EU. Can the Minister say how those small firms will now be encouraged to get back to work and back into selling to the EU?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, a huge amount of effort is going into negotiating the SPS agreement, which will be incredibly important for our trade but also in reducing friction, including between Northern Ireland and GB. There are many positives to this. Those negotiations are ongoing but I look forward to discussing them with Members of your Lordships’ House once they are complete so that we can look at them in detail to make sure that everyone, including SMEs, can access them.

With that, I wish everyone a merry Christmas, chag sameach and happy new year. I look forward to seeing all noble Lords in 2026.