Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that new trade deals do not undermine the UK's existing (a) social and (b) environmental standards after the UK leaves the EU.

The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU.

When we leave the European Union, we will maintain our current standards. We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of exit.

We’re clear that more trade doesn’t have to come at the expense of labour or the environment. We are exploring all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements, including possible labour and environmental provisions within these taking into account results of the DIT consultation exercise.