Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that organised crime and terrorism can be addressed effectively after the end of the transition period for the UK's departure from the EU.
The safety and security of our citizens is the Government’s top priority.
Negotiations continue, and on law enforcement and criminal justice, there is a good degree of convergence in what the UK and EU have been negotiating in terms of operational capabilities.
In the event that it is not possible to reach an agreement, the UK has well-developed and well-rehearsed plans in place. We will transition cooperation with EU Member States to alternative, non-EU arrangements by the end of the Transition Period, where available and relevant. Broadly speaking, this means making more use of Interpol, Council of Europe Conventions and bilateral channels.
Specifically on counter-terrorism, cooperation with European partners on national security takes place outside EU structures and so is not dependent on the EU. Our bilateral and multilateral cooperation will continue, regardless of the outcome of any negotiations
The UK will continue to be a global leader on security and one of the safest countries in the world.