Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to establish the Civil Society Forum as provided for in the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for a Civil Society Forum - composed of a balanced representation of UK and EU business and civil society groups - to discuss the implementation of aspects of the Agreement.

We are in contact with the EU about the operational guidelines for the conduct of this Forum and will work to facilitate its first meeting this year.

We will, of course, continue to engage with business and civil society in the usual way, including on issues relating to TCA implementation.

As for the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, it is a matter for Parliament to consider the potential shape of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, within the framework set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.