Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the size of any increase in trade with Commonwealth countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU.

The UK leaving the European Union will affect trade with partner countries differently, including members of the Commonwealth. The size of the impact will depend upon a range of factors, including the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

43 out of 52 Commonwealth members currently benefit from preferential access to the UK, either through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, Economic Partnership Agreements or Market Access Regulations. This preferential access supports economic development in the recipient countries and provides benefits to businesses in the UK.

The Government is committed to providing continuity in the UK’s current trade and investment relationships, including those covered by EU Free Trade Agreements and other EU preferential arrangements. As set out in the Trade White Paper, it has introduced legislation to establish a UK trade preferences scheme, which will help developing countries.

The UK will seek to strengthen its trade and investment relationships with partners across the world, including Commonwealth members. We are already conducting regular Ministerial dialogues with a wide range of markets and also a joint review of the UK-India trade relationship, in partnership with the Government of India.