Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment the Government has made of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the progress of trade negotiations with the EU.

As a result of Covid-19, it has been necessary to conduct negotiations through video conference. Negotiators from the UK and the EU held discussions through video conferencing on 20 – 24 April 2020 for the second round of negotiations on the UK-EU future relationship. A written ministerial statement (HCWS209) made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 28 April 2020 updated the House on the progress of negotiations.

The third round of negotiations started this week, also via video conference, and will conclude on 15 May.