Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what the main policy priority is for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement.

The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) published an updated Single Departmental Plan on 23 May 2018. This set out the department’s main policy objectives and how it will achieve them. Single Departmental Plans will be revised annually to reflect new priorities or changes in responsibilities.

DExEU is responsible for overseeing negotiations to leave the European Union. Its priority is negotiating a orderly withdrawal from the EU and a new comprehensive partnership for the future.

We have been working hard and at pace towards achieving that aim. We have made good progress in the negotiations so far having concluded the vast majority of the Withdrawal Agreement, recently reaching agreement on arrangements for goods on the market, Euratom related issues, and on cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

We have also begun talks on our future relationship which have covered aspects of our future economic and future security partnerships.

With talks ongoing, we remain on track to reach agreement on the Withdrawal Agreement and Future Framework by October 2018.