Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with his Commonwealth counterparts on the potential for mutual recognition agreements on professional qualifications.

The Department for Business and Trade recognises the importance of mutual recognition of professional qualifications (RPQ) to support services trade and domestic labour market outcomes.

International agreements provide mechanisms for officials to regularly engage with their Commonwealth counterparts on RPQ. Officials engage frequently with counterparts in Australia, New Zealand and the CARIFORUM states through Professional Services Working Groups, joint and specialised committee structures.

Independent UK regulators set standards, assess professional qualifications and are responsible for agreeing Mutual Recognition Agreements on RPQ. DBT is committed to promoting RPQ opportunities and supporting regulators in their discussions with Commonwealth counterparts.