Brexit Bulletin—government sets out framework for engagement with TCA implementation

Article summary

The Cabinet Office has published correspondence with the UK Devolved Governments on engagement regarding the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). In the letter, Cabinet Office Minister, Lord Frost, puts forward a set of principles for the Partnership Council established under the TCA, extending to the governance structures under the Withdrawal Agreement. Most notably, where items of devolved competence are on the agenda, there is an expectation to ‘facilitate attendance’ by the devolved administrations. The outlined framework is applicable to the devolved administrations, as well as the Crown Dependencies in limited and specific respects. With meetings of the TCA Partnership Council and Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee scheduled for the beginning of June 2021, Lord Frost extended an invitation for a pre-meeting with the devolved governments to exchange views and confirm the UK’s approach.