Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 April 2026

Letter to the Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations relating to an evidence session on UK-EU relations, 27 March 2026

From: Business and Trade Committee

Inquiry: UK trade with the EU

Summary

The Business and Trade Committee Chair writes to the Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations requesting a confirmed date for him to give evidence on the UK-EU Reset. The letter expresses concern that the Government plans to pass the Reset Bill by year-end without pre-legislative scrutiny, arguing this prevents proper parliamentary oversight of the Government's objectives and the powers sought in the Bill.

Key findings

  • Government aims to pass the Reset Bill by end of 2026 without pre-legislative scrutiny
  • Committee and Parliament lack clarity on what the Government is trying to achieve through the reset and what powers the Bill will confer
  • Foreign Affairs Committee has raised similar concerns about inadequate scrutiny
  • Chair requests minister appear before Committee to explain the reset's aims and scope

Tone

Procedural

Topics

eu-relationsparliamentary-scrutinylegislation

Key actors

Liam Byrne MP (Chair, Business and Trade Committee), Nick Thomas-Symonds MP (Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations), Foreign Affairs Committee, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Notable line

Without that, proper scrutiny is not possible.

Key Quotes

It is important that both Parliament and this Committee understand what the Government is trying to achieve through the reset, and what powers it is seeking in the Bill.
Liam Byrne MP · requesting ministerial evidence on the Reset Bill
View original document →

Source · parliament.uk record ↗

Letter to the Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations relating to an evidence session on UK-EU relations, 27 March 2026 | Beyond The Vote | Beyond The Vote