Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Race Excerpts

Thursday 5th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Luke Charters (York Outer) (Lab)]

14. What recent discussions he has had with EU counterparts on topics of mutual interest.

[Steve Race (Exeter) (Lab)]

20. What recent discussions he has had with EU counterparts on topics of mutual interest

[The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds)]

Since leaving the European Union, it has never been more important to work alongside the EU in the global context that we face. It is in our country’s interest to have a stronger trading and security relationship. Our new strategic partnership with the EU is good for bills, good for jobs and good for borders. We continue our negotiations ahead of the next summit.

--- Later in debate ---

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

Those trips sound wonderful, and my hon. Friend is right to raise the issue, which impacts many families travelling to Europe. The Government work to strengthen the UK’s relationship with the EU on a number of fronts, and I will ensure that that issue is considered as well.

[Steve Race]

I welcome the Government’s changed approach to our vital relationship with the EU. As a member of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, I know how much it has been welcomed by our partners in Europe, as well as by my residents in Exeter. Ahead of the next session of the PPA later in March, will the Minister set out the agenda for deepening co-operation and trust beyond the agenda agreed at last May’s EU-UK summit?

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

At this year’s summit, the EU and the UK agreed commitments over a wide range of areas, from trade and youth opportunities to security and defence co-operation. We are making good progress on all those areas, but as my hon. Friend says, there is now a forward programme. This Government will not be restricted by ideology. We take a ruthlessly pragmatic approach across different sectors to what is in our national economic interest.