Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to Answer of 6 September to Question 169670 on UK Relations with EU, whether his Department is seeking to develop a new development partnership with the EU.

The Government’s position, as set out most recently in the 12 July White Paper, is that a future UK-EU relationship on development would be in our mutual interest. As part of this relationship we have proposed a cooperative accord on development assistance and international action.

We have identified some specific thematic areas where there is a strong case for such a UK-EU strategic partnership, such as humanitarian aid, migration and peace and security. However, other thematic and geographic areas could also be considered, as new challenges emerge, where a UK-EU partnership may be the best approach.

Any UK participation would require appropriate influence and oversight over UK funds, at the strategic and programme level, as well as eligibility for UK entities to deliver EU programmes and apply for funding on an open and fair basis.