Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the EU press release, of 30 March 2026, EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of these financial commitments in (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28.

The EU is seeking an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy,, alongside an electricity agreement. This is not a proposal by the Government. Following exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the EU’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. Details are subject to negotiation, and we will not provide a running commentary.

The UK anticipates that formal negotiations on electricity market participation will begin shortly. The agreement will come into force following the successful outcome of these negotiations.

Association to Erasmus+ in 2027 will not involve a contribution towards the EU’s Cohesion Policy.