Speeches by Thomas-Symonds.

“There has to be a cap, and we have been straightforward about that throughout. I see this scheme in the context of the ones we already have. Again, I am treading carefully because this is a live part of the ongoing negotiations, but we have 13 youth mobility schemes at the moment, a number of which were signed by the p…”

“First, can I say something about the PPA and thank you for your participation? I want to reassure cross-party colleagues around the table that not just myself but the former EU negotiator Lord Frost was there, so you will be pleased to hear that there was a range of views being expressed in the PPA. In all seriousness,…”

“No, there have not been any payments. It is not established.”

“There is not a particular delay—I would not accept that. We very much respect the EU’s internal processes. The Commission has proposed the mandate for the Council to sign it off. As a Government, we are certainly prepared for the 30 November deadline. We will be pushing that forward. The reason—as I am sure members of …”

“You could do it. I used to talk about this, which may be to your point, Richard. I used to talk about security, safety and prosperity, which probably would then encompass a bit better the point you are making. There is a really serious point here. Of course, we have things that will be a tangible benefit—look at what t…”

“Probably not, is the answer. I think I was just asked about a doorstep pitch. You do not get very long for your doorstep pitch.”

“Adding to Stephen’s point, the issue now is that the Commission has proposed a mandate, which is not yet approved by the European Council. Once it is, we can enter detailed negotiations. At the summit on 19 May, when we signed the Common Understanding, the President of the Commission was very forward-leaning on pressin…”

“It is hugely important and is recognised around the world. I think the deal delivering for Scottish salmon will obviously be great for that sector and for the UK economy as well. Your broad point is: how is the benefit going to be passed down? I think that is the basic challenge that you are putting to me.”

“Of course, and we have regular dialogue with them about that. My answer is that, first, we want to see wide benefits of the SPS agreement. At the moment, we have the outline that exists in the Common Understanding. We will now negotiate a legal text and take that forward. Secondly, the fishing and coastal growth fund i…”

“First, it was a manifesto commitment. For us, though, it is particularly crucial—it a huge priority. In the Common Understanding, we had a recognition of the importance of this issue going forward in enabling us to continue to push this for the annual summit. We have not set a date for the annual summit in 2026 yet, bu…”

“I take issue with your first point. Scottish salmon is a hugely important UK export—”

“First, Elspeth and Mike are both extremely powerful advocates, as I know very well from my engagement. Salmon Scotland obviously takes a different view—if you look at what it said about the deal, it was in a very different position. I believe we have struck a deal that is very much in the interests of UK fishers. Let m…”

“Indeed it is. I think I was given a figure when I was there of 400,000 British visitors a year, so it will certainly help them on their visits to Sofia.”

“I am Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for European Union relations in the Cabinet Office. I have obviously been responsible for leading the negotiations and continue to be.”

“Obviously, it is within the competence of the member states as to the decisions they take, and I could not guarantee something that is outside my control. What I can say is that, whether at the FCDO or in the work I do at the Cabinet Office, we will continue to press at as many ports as we can for the easiest possible …”

“I am quite happy to write to the Committee on the number of countries, but 50 passenger ports across Europe have opened their e-gates to British travellers. Since the agreement of 19 May and since the clarification from the EU, I have been able to go and open e-gates to British nationals in particular parts of Europe; …”

“Our priority on this now is what we have agreed with the EU. What we have agreed is across food and drink. There will have to be legislation on that. The focus at the moment is implementing what we have agreed. We are taking a decision as a sovereign nation that we are a high-standards jurisdiction. We are aligning wit…”

“I am sure you will. I have talked about getting the SPS agreement—the food and drink agreement—into effect by 2027. I have talked about implementing it in the early part of 2027 so that we can actually see the benefit of it. It will be hugely important. To give an example, an export health certificate costs £200 per co…”

“Let me pick up on a number of aspects of that. First, it is important that we have annual summits, because those will enable these issues and the particular milestones that will drive progress to be raised. That is hugely important. What the Prime Minister was talking about are particular issues where we certainly want…”

“It is a pleasure to appear before you all today. I am sorry that you are not at full complement, but I completely understand why. It is great to come, and I am very pleased, Chair, that you are taking the interest that you are with the inquiry that you are undertaking. I very much look forward to seeing in due course y…”