European Investment Bank

(asked on 23rd April 2019) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department’s Infrastructure Finance Review, what recent progress has been made in establishing the UK’s future relationship with the European Investment Bank Group after the UK has left the EU.


Answered by
Robert Jenrick Portrait
Robert Jenrick
This question was answered on 29th April 2019

The EIB has lent to a range of sectors in the UK, including infrastructure projects and UK businesses. As you may know, the UK will cease to be a member of the EIB Group (consisting of the EIB and EIF) on exit day, as membership is only available to EU member states. Under the terms of the EU Withdrawal Agreement, the UK has secured the return of its €3.5bn capital in the European Investment Bank (EIB) through twelve annual instalments. We have reached a fair settlement with the EU, honouring commitments we made during our period of membership, and have ensured a fair deal for UK tax payers.

Alongside the terms of exit set out in the withdrawal agreement, the Political Declaration, which sets out the framework for the future relationship between the EU and the UK, states that both parties note the UK's intention to explore options for a future relationship with the EIB Group. As we leave the EU, we continue to consider options for our future relationship and discussions on this will form part of the wider negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship.

However, while Government wishes to explore a future relationship with the EIB Group, we recognise the need to be prepared for a range of scenarios. The Government already has a range of existing tools to support infrastructure finance, including the UK Guarantees Scheme and funds that support the development of new technologies including the Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund and Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund. The Infrastructure Finance Review, launched at the Spring Statement, explores future challenges in infrastructure finance, including new technologies, and seeks views on the Government’s existing tools. The review will conclude alongside the National Infrastructure Strategy at the Spending Review later this year. The Government also provides support for business and emerging technologies Research and Development (R&D) through a wide range of measures, including the largest increase in direct public R&D spending in 40 years, R&D tax reliefs, and the £2.5bn British Patient Capital programme, enabling long-term investment in innovative companies.

Government support announced following the Patient Capital Review means that the British Business Bank has the capacity to make venture capital commitments this financial year that would exceed the combined average annual commitments from the European Investment Fund and British Business Bank in the years preceding the UK’s vote to leave the EU. In April, the government made an additional £200m support for venture capital and growth finance available through the British Business Bank to support the financing of smaller businesses.

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