Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting EU associated citizenship for UK citizens as a negotiating position.

We are content to listen to proposals from the EU on associated citizenship for UK nationals however, to date, this has not been formally proposed to the UK in negotiations. EU treaty provisions state that only citizens of EU Member States are able to hold EU citizenship. Therefore, when the UK ceases to be a member of the European Union, British nationals will no longer hold EU citizenship, unless they hold dual nationality with another EU Member State.

We have secured a deal that will safeguard the rights of UK nationals living in the European Union, so that they can continue living their lives broadly as they do now. Details of this agreement, which gives more certainty about residence, healthcare, pensions and other benefits, can be found in the Joint Report published in December.

As we move forward into the next phase of negotiations we will continue to work to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.