Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK’s ability to secure beneficial trade deals with other nations without EU backing.

While we remain a member of the EU, the UK will continue to press for and support an ambitious EU trade agenda.

As we get ready to leave the EU, the Department for International Trade (DIT) is working across HMG, to make sure that DIT has the world class capability to deliver an effective and ambitious trade agenda. We are preparing for an independent trade policy by talking to a number of countries on a variety of future trading options, exploring the best ways of progressing our trade and investment relationships. Discussions include preparatory work on the potential of future trade agreements, where the response has been encouraging.