Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to seek formal operational cooperation with the European Asylum Support Office as set out in that office's External Action Strategy after the UK has left the EU.

The UK continues to provide resource to EASO to help Member States whose asylum and reception systems are under pressure.

Last year, the Government took a decision not to opt in to the proposed EU Agency for Asylum, which will replace EASO. Written Ministerial Statement HCWS373 of 16 December refers. Until EASO is replaced, we remain a full member, maintaining voting rights at the management board and playing a strong role in influencing EU asylum policy. While the UK remains a member of the EU, we will continue to remain fully engaged in EU discussions on migration and security. The Government will consider the UK’s future relationship with the EU in terms of asylum cooperation as part of the broader EU exit negotiations.