Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK and the EU failing to agree an agreement on their future relationship by the end of the transition period on the UK fishing industry.

The Government remains committed to working to reach an agreement with the EU.

Whether or not the UK and EU reach agreement, the UK will be an independent coastal state outside of the Common Fisheries Policy from 31 December 2020. The UK will no longer be bound by the EU’s outdated and unfair method of sharing fishing opportunities. I refer the hon. Member to the press statement released on 13 October 2020 by the Fisheries Minister on this issue.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ59762 on 23 June 2020.