Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to enable UK trades unions to (a) have sight of and (b) comment on the text of negotiations on a trade agreement with the UK; and if she will make a statement.

This Government is committed to seeking views from the widest range of stakeholder groups to create an inclusive and transparent trade policy that works all parts of the UK. We must balance the need for transparency with ensuring that the United Kingdom’s economic interests are protected in what are, after all, sensitive negotiations.

We have established engagement mechanisms to ensure a broad range of stakeholders have the opportunity to inform the UK’s trade policy. This includes the Strategic Trade Advisory Group and network of Expert Trade Advisory Groups that bring together a wide variety of stakeholders, from businesses to civil society organisations, to help inform our trade policy. Any further opportunities for engagement during negotiations will be set out in due course.