Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it is the Government's policy to advocate for the UK’s return to the North Sea Energy Cooperation.

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for the establishment of a specific forum for cooperation in relation to offshore grid development and the large renewable energy potential of the North Seas region, similar to the previous North Seas Energy Cooperation. The Government is currently negotiating the terms of cooperation with the European Commission, with a view to agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding that is acceptable to both sides as soon as possible.