Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2025)149 - Implementation and application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom 1 January - 31 December 2024 - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2025)149 - Implementation and application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom 1 January - 31 December 2024. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2025)149  |
| date | 04-04-2025 |
Contents
- Brussels, 4.4.2025
- Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Institutional framework
- 3. Complaints and dispute settlement
- 3.1. Complaints
- 3.2. Dispute settlement
- 4. Sectoral implementation
- 4.1. Trade in goods
- 4.2. Services and investment, digital trade, public procurement, and small and medium-sized enterprises
- 4.3. Intellectual property rights.
- 4.4. Level playing field
- 4.5. Energy
- 4.6. Transport
- 4.7. Fisheries
- 4.8. Social security coordination
- 4.9. Law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
- 4.10. Association of the United Kingdom to certain EU programmes
- 5. Developments in the law of the United Kingdom
- 5.1. Cross-cutting matters
- 5.2. Subsidy control and taxation
- 5.3. Labour and social standards, environment and climate
- 6. Conclusions
COM(2025) 149 final
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL
on the implementation and application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1 January – 31 December 2024
4.2. Services and investment, digital trade, public procurement, and small and medium-sized enterprises
Annex 1: Meetings in 2024 of the joint bodies and other structures established by the TCA
Annex 2: Overview of the actions for implementation agreed by the Partnership Council on 16 May 2024
Annex 3: Decisions and recommendations adopted by the Partnership Council or Committees established by the TCA in 2024
1.Introduction
In 2024, the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) was based on continued collaboration under the framework of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA, or ‘the Agreement’) 1 .
Since its entry into force on 1 January 2021, the TCA has established a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the EU and the United Kingdom in areas such as trade, transport, fisheries, energy, social security coordination, and law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, while fostering fair competition, sustainable development and respect for fundamental rights.
This fourth report on the implementation of the TCA, as required by Article 2(4) of Council Decision (EU) 2021/689 of 29 April 2021 2 , provides an overview of key developments in the functioning of the TCA’s governance structures (Section 2) and in relation to enforcement tools, dispute settlement and complaints (Section 3). The report also summarises progress across areas covered by the TCA (Section 4) and outlines relevant legislative developments in the United Kingdom impacting its implementation (Section 5).
2.Institutional framework
In 2024, the joint bodies and other structures established under the TCA actively monitored and facilitated its implementation, with 35 meetings held across all policy areas covered by the Agreement. This engagement represents a higher frequency of interaction than with any other non-EU country with which the EU has a comparable relationship in terms of trade and cooperation. A comprehensive list of these meetings is in Annex 1. The Commission continues to publish online the agendas and minutes of these joint bodies’ meetings 3 .
The Partnership Council, the main body set up under the TCA, oversees the TCA’s implementation at political level. It met on 16 May 2024 4 . The EU, represented by then Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, and the United Kingdom, represented by then Foreign Secretary David Cameron, reaffirmed their commitment to fully exploiting the potential the TCA has to offer. The Partnership Council reviewed progress in implementing the TCA, noting positive steps such as the United Kingdom’s association with Horizon Europe and the Copernicus component of the EU Space programme, as well as the intense activity of the TCA’s joint bodies, which led to more than 25 formal meetings in 2023. Key discussions included cooperation in climate and energy, with plans for a new working group on security of supply and a roadmap for electricity trading. On trade and the level playing field, the co-chairs supported cooperation on competition matters and regular exchanges on market surveillance, while also discussing the United Kingdom’s new “border target operating model 5 ”. The co-chairs also highlighted strengthened collaboration on health security between the European Centre for Disease Control and the United Kingdom Health Security Agency. On internal security, they noted advances in counter-terrorism and cyber issues and agreed on further technical work to enable the sharing of vehicle data. Annex 2 provides an overview of the actions for implementation agreed at the Partnership Council. In the area of fisheries, the issue of access to waters post-2026 was raised by the EU. It also raised the question of the United Kingdom sponsorship system for the temporary movement of service suppliers (for further details on services and investment, see Section 4.2).
The 19 committees established under Article 8 of the TCA met throughout the year, actively monitoring and facilitating the Agreement’s implementation across all relevant sectors. These meetings enabled structured reviews of progress on commitments made in the TCA, providing a platform for technical exchanges on various implementation issues, including forthcoming regulatory developments. Several key decisions and recommendations were also adopted. These decisions and recommendations are summarised in Annex 3.
The Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, established under Article 11 of the TCA, did not convene in 2024. Its fifth meeting, originally scheduled for 18-19 March 2024 in Brussels, was postponed due to the United Kingdom Parliament's calendar.
Civil society representatives remained actively engaged in the TCA’s implementation. The EU Domestic Advisory Group, established under Article 13 of the TCA, met regularly and provided valuable input 6 . The Commission continues to pay close attention to the group’s activity and recommendations, which offer important insights into civil society perspectives on the implementation of the TCA and broader EU-United Kingdom relations.
The Civil Society Forum, established under Article 14 of the TCA to facilitate dialogue on the implementation of Part Two of the Agreement (which covers trade, transport, fisheries, and other arrangements) was held on 20 September 2024 in Brussels. As in previous years, the meeting focused on key implementation issues related to trade in goods, the level playing field, regulatory cooperation, trade in services, and energy. The Commission values the perspectives shared by civil society organisations, trade unions, EU businesses, and other workers’ organisations within the Forum and aims to promote these interests in its discussions with the United Kingdom on TCA implementation.
3.Complaints and dispute settlement
The Commission has put in place mechanisms to enforce TCA commitments, resolve potential disputes, and address complaints from EU stakeholders.
3.1.Complaints
In 2024, seven complaints were submitted through the centralised tools set up by the Commission to ensure efficient monitoring of the TCA implementation 7 . Two complaints were related to the United Kingdom’s border target operating model, specifically highlighting long waiting times at the border and proportionality of fees levied under the United Kingdom’s common user charges in the absence of actual control activities. The Commission has been engaging with the United Kingdom to address these concerns. The remaining five submissions pertained to matters falling outside the scope of the TCA and have been followed-up accordingly 8 .
3.2.Dispute settlement
The United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit sandeel fishing in British waters as of 26 March 2024 led the EU to invoke the TCA dispute settlement mechanism on 16 April 2024, with proceedings ongoing. Despite these steps, the Commission continues to be open to finding an amicable solution.
For further details, see Section 4.7 on fisheries.
4.Sectoral implementation
The sectoral implementation of the TCA progressed smoothly, with all commitments due in 2024 either completed or on track. This section outlines the main achievements and highlights key policy developments in the United Kingdom across various sectors. Where possible, it also provides data on trade flows between the EU and the United Kingdom.
4.1.Trade in goods
Overall, the trade-related arrangements set out in the TCA have been effective and functioned smoothly.
In line with Article 31 of the TCA, the EU and the United Kingdom exchanged import statistics in 2024 9 . These statistics indicate that preference utilisation rates 10 remain high and are comparable to those of the previous year: 89.1% of EU preference-eligible goods exported to the United Kingdom and 80.4% of preference-eligible goods imported from the United Kingdom benefited from the preferences under the TCA. These rates are consistent with those observed for other partners with whom the EU has free trade agreements 11 .
Cooperation between the EU and the United Kingdom on value added tax and claims concerning taxes and duties was made fully operational in 2024. This followed the adoption in 2023 of the four decisions needed to fully implement the Protocol on Administrative Cooperation and Combating Fraud in the Field of Value Added Tax and on Mutual Assistance for the Recovery of Claims Relating to Taxes and Customs Duties (VAT Protocol) referred to in Article 120 of the TCA, rendering the previous transitory measures obsolete. The statistics reported by Member States as part of the transitory measures referred to above 12 show that the number of requests, both for information and for recovery, remains stable, and limited.
In 2024, the EU and the United Kingdom worked together to update the product-specific rules of origin in Annex 3 of the TCA to reflect the World Customs Organization’s Harmonized System (HS) 2022 classification of goods. This update, necessitated by changes introduced by the World Customs Organization to account for technological advancements, new products, and evolving trade patterns, ensures that the TCA remains up to date. The Partnership Council adopted the corresponding decision to approve this update on 5 November 2024 13 .
In April 2024, the United Kingdom started to apply a new set of import requirements and controls as laid out in its border target operating model. As a result of this new set of requirements and controls, identity and documentary checks became mandatory also for medium-risk products of animal origin, plants, and plant products imported from the EU that the UK has categorised as of medium risk 14 . According to EU exporters, the implementation of the new import regime has been posing some difficulties, such as (i) frequent changes in risk categorisation without proper notification; (ii) full implementation of the common user charge despite partial implementation of border controls; (iii) inconsistent interpretation of import requirements by different border posts; (iv) failure to recognise the EU as a single sanitary and phytosanitary entity in respect of certification requirements; (v) outdated import requirements not compatible with the international standards; (vi) delays in introducing electronic certification; and (vii) long waiting times in carrying out controls for consignments selected for physical checks 15 .
The EU has consistently raised these issues with the United Kingdom in the TCA joint bodies, including the Trade Specialised Committees on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and on Customs Cooperation and Rules of Origin as well as the Trade Partnership Committee. In these discussions, the EU has emphasised the critical importance of providing timely and accurate information on border procedures (Articles 102(e) and 111 TCA) and avoiding excessive trade burdens (Article 101(a) TCA). However, the United Kingdom’s responses have not yet fully addressed these concerns. The EU continues to monitor the implementation of the United Kingdom’s import regime and remains committed to working through the TCA mechanisms to address ongoing issues and minimise disruption to trade between the EU and the United Kingdom.
Separately, on 24 January 2024, the United Kingdom announced plans to legislate for the indefinite recognition of the CE marking 16 across additional product regulations. This includes the 18 regulations previously announced and 3 new categories: (i) ecodesign for energy-related products, (ii) explosives, and (iii) restrictions on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The continued recognition of the CE marking in the United Kingdom eases compliance challenges for EU manufacturers and facilitates the export of the products that require such marking from the United Kingdom to the EU.
Trade in goods between the EU and the United Kingdom evolved as follows in 2024 17 .
In the first three quarters of 2024, the EU exported goods worth EUR 255 billion to the United Kingdom, which represents an increase of 1.7% compared to the same period in 2023, and an increase of 5.6% compared to the same period in 2019 18 . EU goods imports from the United Kingdom in the first three quarters of 2024 amounted to EUR 123 billion, representing a 11.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2023 and a decrease of 14.7% compared to the same period in 2019. Therefore, while goods exports from the EU to the United Kingdom have been slightly increasing, imports from the United Kingdom to the EU have continued to decline. In the first three quarters of 2024, the EU ran a sizeable goods trade surplus with the United Kingdom amounting to EUR 132 billion.
In the first three quarters of 2024, EU goods exports to other non-EU countries increased by 0.9% compared to the same period in 2023 and by 24.6% compared to the same period in 2019. EU goods imports from other non-EU countries fell by 5% compared to the same period in 2023 and increased by 28.6% compared to the same period in 2019. This confirms the trend observed since the United Kingdom’s withdrawal, with trade in goods growing more rapidly with other non-EU countries than with the United Kingdom.
Figure 1: EU trade in goods with the United Kingdom compared to EU trade with the rest of the world, first three quarters of 2019, first three quarters of 2023 and first three quarters of 2024, EUR billion. Source: Eurostat (dataset ext_st_eu27_2020sitc )
In the first three quarters of 2024, total trade in goods with the United Kingdom accounted for 10.2% of the EU’s total trade with its international partners, representing no change from the same period of 2023 and a decrease from 12.7% in the same period of 2019.
In the first three quarters of 2024, the United Kingdom was the destination of 13.3% of EU goods exports (compared to 13.2% in the same period of 2023 and 15.3% in the same period of 2019), second to the United States (20.6%). The United Kingdom was the origin of 6.8% of the EU’s goods imports (compared to 7.3% in the same period of 2023 and 10% in the same period of 2019), in third place behind China (21.1%) and the United States (13.9%).
By way of general comparison, in 2023 the EU was the destination of 49% of the United Kingdom’s goods exports and the origin of 55% of the United Kingdom’s goods imports 19 .
This data highlights that the EU remains the United Kingdom’s most significant trading partner for goods. At the same time, the EU’s trade in goods has become more diversified in recent years.
Figure 2: EU trade in goods with its top three international partners, first three quarters of 2019, first three quarters of 2023 and first three quarters of 2024, (%). Source: Eurostat (dataset ext_st_eu27_2020sitc )
The sectors where EU goods exports to the United Kingdom showed the highest increase in 2024 compared to 2023 were food, drinks and tobacco (+3.2%) and machinery and transport equipment (+2.6%). EU goods imports from the United Kingdom in 2024 decreased across all product categories.
Figure 3: EU trade in goods with the United Kingdom by the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) for goods, first three quarters of 2019, first three quarters of 2023 and first three quarters of 2024, EUR billion. Source: Eurostat (dataset ext_st_eu27_2020sitc )
4.2.Services and investment, digital trade, public procurement, and small and medium-sized enterprises
The implementation of the TCA in the areas of services and investment, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, and small and medium-sized enterprises has generally proceeded smoothly, with no major issues except for the question of the application of the United Kingdom’s sponsorship system for work visas to EU services providers. In the United Kingdom, an employer willing to employ a foreign worker needs to be licenced by the Home Office and then assign a certificate of sponsorship to that foreign worker (in both steps a fee is due by the employer), for that worker to be able to apply for a visa (who would also incur in additional fees). Despite being primarily designed to manage migration (i.e. foreign workers who reside in the United Kingdom), the system is also applied by the United Kingdom to foreign service suppliers (including from the EU) who only come temporarily to the United Kingdom to supply a service (and irrespective of the whether the supply of that service falls under the commitments in a free trade agreement such as the TCA) – in that case, the service provider needs to be sponsored by its customer to be able to apply for the visa. The EU has repeatedly raised this system’s complexity, disproportionate burden and lack of clarity surrounding this system in the TCA joint bodies 20 . The application of this system to EU service suppliers continues to hinder the TCA’s implementation, with only seventeen visas 21 granted in 2024 to EU service suppliers despite the close economic ties between the EU and United Kingdom and the market opening commitments of the TCA. As a result, EU services suppliers are hampered from serving clients in the United Kingdom. The EU continues to urge the United Kingdom to exempt services suppliers covered by the TCA from the sponsorship system, as it undermines the United Kingdom’s TCA commitments on the supply of services through temporary presence (see Articles 123 of the TCA and following).
On the recognition of professional qualifications, the Commission is awaiting a revised joint recommendation to be submitted by the Architects’ Council of Europe and the United Kingdom’s Architects Registration Board, under Article 158(3) of the TCA, with a view to the possible start of the negotiations on an arrangement for the recognition of professional qualifications for architects 22 . No other professional association has contacted the Commission to signal an interest in the recognition of professional qualifications by the United Kingdom.
In line with Article 211(1) of the TCA, the EU and the United Kingdom have agreed to cooperate on various aspects of digital trade regulation. In this spirit, the Commission (DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and OFCOM (the United Kingdom’s regulator for broadcasting, telecommunications, and postal services) signed an administrative arrangement on 30 April 2024. The arrangement focuses on the supervision of risk assessment and mitigation efforts by providers of large online platforms, in areas such as: (i) the protection of minors online; (ii) the age-appropriate design of technologies; (iii) the transparency of online platforms; (iv) the impacts of algorithms on systemic risk; and (v) measures to detect and report illegal content online. This cooperation will primarily involve the exchange of information. The arrangement does not cover the exchange of confidential information related to regulated entities, and each party maintains its regulatory and supervisory autonomy under its respective legislation 23 . This administrative arrangement is non-binding and carries no financial implications.
In the area of intellectual property, discussions between the EU Intellectual Property Office and the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office on a memorandum of understanding to improve administrative cooperation, as provided for in Article 273(2)(g) of the TCA, have not yet been concluded.
In 2024, trade in services between the EU and the United Kingdom evolved as set out in the paragraphs below 24 .
In the first three quarters of 2024, the EU exported services worth EUR 220 billion to the United Kingdom, which represents an increase of 6.2% compared to the same period in 2023, and an increase of 33.2% compared to the same period in 2019. The value of EU services imports from the United Kingdom in the first three quarters of 2024 was EUR 177 billion, representing an 8.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and an increase of 35.3% compared to the same period in 2019. Unlike trade in goods, bilateral trade in services has increased considerably. In the first three quarters of 2024, the EU ran a services trade surplus with the United Kingdom amounting to EUR 43 billion.
In the first three quarters of 2024, EU services exports to other non-EU countries increased by 10.3% compared to the same period in 2023 and increased by 44.5% compared to the same period in 2019. EU services imports from other non-EU countries increased by 7.9% compared to the same period in 2023 and by 42.9% compared to the same period in 2019. This confirms the trend observed since the United Kingdom’s withdrawal, with trade in services growing more dynamically with other non-EU countries than with the United Kingdom, similar to the trend observed in trade in goods.
Figure 4: EU trade in services with the United Kingdom compared to EU trade with the rest of the world, first three quarters of 2019, first three quarters of 2023 and first three quarters of 2024, EUR billion. Source: Eurostat (dataset bop_eu6_q )
In the first three quarters of 2024, total trade in services with the United Kingdom accounted for 18.7% of the EU’s total trade with its international partners, representing a slight decrease from 19.0% in the same period of 2023 and a decrease from 19.8% in the same period of 2019.
The United Kingdom was the destination of 19.3% of EU services exports in the first three quarters of 2024 (compared to 19.9% in the same period of 2023 and 20.6% in the same period of 2019), second to the United States (21.1%). The United Kingdom was the origin of 18.0% of the EU’s services imports in the first three quarters of 2024 (compared to 17.9% in the same period of 2023 and 18.8% in the same period of 2019), second to the United States (34.7%).
By way of general comparison, in 2023 the EU accounted for 36% of the United Kingdom’s services exports and 46% of its services imports 25 , demonstrating that the EU has been by far the most important partner in the United Kingdom’s trade in services. As with trade in goods, the EU’s trade in services has also become more diversified in recent years.
Figure 5: EU trade in services with its top three international partners, first three quarters of 2019, first three quarters of 2023 and first three quarters of 2024, (%). Source: Eurostat (dataset bop_eu6_q )
The sectors where EU exports to the United Kingdom showed the strongest increase in 2024 compared to 2023 were ‘other (SA, SB, SE, SK, SL)’ 26 (+11.7%), telecom and computer (+10.7%), other business services (+8.3%) and insurance and pension services (+7.8%). The largest increases for EU imports from the United Kingdoms were found in the sectors of insurance and pension services (+21.9%), charges for the use of intellectual property (15.9%), financial services (14.4%), and ‘other (SA, SB, SE, SK, SL)’27 (+13.2%).
Figure 6: EU trade in services with the United Kingdom in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 and the same period of 2019, by type of service, EUR billion. Source: Eurostat (dataset bop_eu6_q )
4.3.Intellectual property rights.
Discussions on a memorandum of understanding between the EU Intellectual Property Office and the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office to improve administrative cooperation, as provided for in Article 273(2)(g) of the TCA, are still ongoing.
4.4.Level playing field
In October 2024, the European Commission and the United Kingdom concluded technical discussions on a competition cooperation agreement 27 , following a June 2023 Council Decision authorising negotiations. This agreement, a ‘supplementing agreement’ under Article 361(4) of the TCA, will allow the Commission, national competition authorities of EU Member States, and the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority to cooperate directly in competition investigations. It is the first EU agreement enabling national competition authorities to work with a non-EU country’s competition authority, as is foreseen by the TCA for the United Kingdom. This agreement will facilitate the coordination of investigations, the notification of major antitrust and merger cases, and the sharing of information, while ensuring that conflicts are avoided. Confidential information will only be exchanged with the consent of the undertaking involved. This agreement will enter into force after ratification by both the EU and the United Kingdom.
There were also several policy developments relevant for the level playing field throughout 2024 in the areas of subsidies, taxation and labour and social standards, which are further detailed in Section 5 below.
4.5.Energy
Considering the current geopolitical context and the shared ambition for climate neutrality, it is particularly important to strengthen cooperation on energy between the EU and the United Kingdom. The significance of collaboration in this field was underlined at the third meeting of the Partnership Council, which focused on climate and energy issues. Significant progress has since been made in implementing the energy provisions of the TCA, including the developments set out in the paragraphs below:
To support efforts to diversify away from Russian fuels, EU-United Kingdom cooperation on security of supply under Article 315 of the TCA remains of great importance. Ahead of the 2024-2025 winter season, technical exchanges took place on gas and electricity preparedness, and the safety of offshore operations. Furthermore, the EU and the United Kingdom also agreed to strengthen this cooperation by establishing a new Working Group on Security of Supply during the fifth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Energy 28 . Meetings of this working group are planned for 2025.
Exchanges have taken place with respect to the development of offshore renewable energy, in line with Article 321 of the TCA and under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on offshore renewable energy cooperation between the participants of the North Seas Energy Cooperation and the United Kingdom 29 .
The EU and the United Kingdom also advanced cooperation between their transmission systems operators and regulatory authorities, as outlined in Articles 317 and 318 of the TCA. In particular, both Parties agreed on guidance 30 for the arrangements between their gas and electricity transmission system operators 31 , and between their regulatory authorities 32 . The fifth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Energy subsequently endorsed these arrangements, setting the stage for intensified collaboration between the EU and the United Kingdom.
One key challenge remains the implementation of the new electricity trading arrangements set out in Article 312 and Annex 29 of the TCA. To clarify the next steps and provide further momentum, the EU and the United Kingdom agreed on a roadmap outlining key implementation milestones 33 . In December 2024, the Specialised Committee on Energy adopted a recommendation requesting additional technical work from the EU and United Kingdom transmission system operators on implementing these trading arrangements 34 . This implementation work will continue in 2025, in line with the roadmap’s indicative timeline.
4.6.Transport
Implementation of the TCA in the area of transport has proceeded smoothly, focused on the effective exercise of the rights mutually granted by the EU and the United Kingdom.
In the area of aviation safety, of the 20 applications for validation of certificates issued by the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority, 9 have so far been approved by the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under Article 446 in conjunction with Annex 30 of the TCA. With support from EASA, the United Kingdom authorities have now validated 14 out of 21 projects submitted by EU applicants, consistent with expected activity levels for certificate validation.
In the area of air transport, by the end of 2024, a total of 23 bilateral agreements 35 on all-cargo services had been concluded between EU Member States and the United Kingdom under Articles 419(4) and 419(9) of the TCA, unchanged from 2023. Additionally, 25 EU Member States have been allowing flexible, short-term permissions for certain non-scheduled flights carrying goods or passengers between the United Kingdom and the EU (covering the ‘third and fourth freedom’ of aviation, that is, the right to fly passengers from one’s own country to another country and the right to fly passengers from another country to one’s own country, respectively). Some of these permissions are open-ended as long as they apply to specific airlines rather than broadly to the United Kingdom.
In road transport, work is ongoing to implement the TCA’s provisions on the exchange of information and data between national electronic registers (c.f. Article 14, Section 1 of Part A of TCA Annex 31). This includes connecting the United Kingdom to the European Registers of Road Undertakings (ERRU), which links national registers of road transport undertakings and contains information on serious infringements of road transport rules. In this regard, work is also underway to draw up a list of serious infringements, which will be exchanged via ERRU once the United Kingdom is connected. These initiatives are designed to enhance cooperation and data sharing between the EU and the United Kingdom.
4.7.Fisheries
In 2024, the EU and the United Kingdom continued their good cooperation in implementing the TCA’s provisions in the fisheries sector. The Specialised Committee on Fisheries provided a forum for discussions on the sustainable management of shared fishing stocks. However, three specific issues led to concerns on the EU side.
First, effective since 26 March 2024, the United Kingdom decided to prohibit the fishing of sandeel in the English waters of the North Sea 36 and in all Scottish waters 37 , preventing EU vessels from operating this sustainable fishery. The EU questions the compatibility of the United Kingdom’s decision in this matter with the TCA. As a result, in April 2024, the EU initiated formal consultations with the United Kingdom under the TCA dispute settlement mechanism. These consultations ended without a mutually agreed solution, and the EU subsequently requested the establishment of an arbitration tribunal. A ruling on the compatibility of the prohibition with the TCA is expected by the end of April 2025 at the latest. In the meantime, the EU remains open to reaching an amicable solution 38 .
Second, the EU closely monitored the management measures adopted and planned by the United Kingdom. While recognising the regulatory autonomy of both Parties, the EU expressed concern about the possible impact of these measures on the EU fleet and closely monitors whether all UK measures comply with the objectives and principles of the TCA. The EU welcomed the United Kingdom’s readiness to engage in discussions on the matter.
Third, the EU continued to emphasise to the United Kingdom the utmost importance of putting in place arrangements for stable, reciprocal access to waters from July 2026 onwards. However, the United Kingdom deemed it premature to engage in discussions on this matter.
In December 2024, the EU and the United Kingdom concluded their annual consultations under Article 498 of the TCA to determine the total allowable catches for shared stocks in 2025. The Parties reached a comprehensive agreement covering all stocks, thus securing fishing opportunities of about 428,000 tonnes for the EU fleet, estimated to be worth almost EUR 1.4 billion based on historic landing prices adjusted for inflation. 39
4.8.Social security coordination
The implementation of the Protocol on Social Security Coordination to the TCA (‘the Protocol’) was smooth, with no systemic or structural issues identified.
To provide further guidance on the interpretation of certain provisions of the Protocol, namely its Article SSC.11 on the legislation applicable to detached workers and self-employed persons temporarily working outside the competent State, the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination adopted Recommendation No 1/2024 40 on 5 June 2024.
On 8 November 2024, the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination adopted Decision No 1/2024, amending certain Annexes to the Protocol. 41 The aim of this decision is to update the references to national legislation and policy choices of the States relevant to the implementation of the Protocol.
Furthermore, the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination continued its technical work on various topics, including: (i) changes to structured electronic documents and portable documents; (ii) procedures for reimbursing the cost of sickness benefits; and (iii) the transposition of relevant decisions of the Administrative Commission for the Coordination of Social Security Systems.
4.9.Law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
Implemention of the TCA in relation to law enforcement and judicial cooperation functioned smoothly.
In the area of exchanges of DNA profiles and fingerprints, by the end of 2024, all Member States and the United Kingdom had granted each other access to their national DNA databases for automated searching, in line with Article 530 of the TCA. Additionally, 22 Member States 42 and the United Kingdom granted each other access to their national databases for fingerprints, in line with Article 534 of the TCA.
Regarding the exchange of vehicle registration data, in 2024, the United Kingdom informed the Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation that it had implemented its obligations under Part Three, Title II of the TCA. Subsequently, the Council initiated the procedure to evaluate this implementation in line with Article 540 TCA and Annex 39. On the basis of the evaluation report, the Council will decide on the date from which Member States may begin supplying data to the United Kingdom. The Member States and the United Kingdom will then be able to conduct automated searches in each others’ national databases under Article 537 TCA.
4.10.Association of the United Kingdom to certain EU programmes
On 1 January 2024, in line with the conditions set out in Part Five of the TCA 43 , the United Kingdom became an associated country to Horizon Europe and the Copernicus component of the Space Programme under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework 44 . The implementation of Part Five of the TCA in 2024 has in general proceeded smoothly with respect to these programmes. United Kingdom entities can now not only take part in the grant award procedures under the Horizon Europe programme but many of those entities have already received funding.
In 2024, under Article 22(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, United Kingdom entities were prevented from participating in certain actions under the Horizon Europe programme linked to the EU's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. This restriction to the participation of the United Kingdom entities applied to 33 actions (out of approximately 1000 actions) notably in the areas of quantum and space research under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024, out of which 3 actions are financed by 2024 budgetary appropriations and considered as exclusions under the TCA.
A specific issue to highlight is the difficult conditions faced by EU researchers benefiting from Horizon Europe who wish to exercise mobility towards the United Kingdom, due to increased visa fees and the healthcare surcharge. At the Partnership Council meeting of May 2024, the EU urged the United Kingdom to revert to the previous levels of visa fees and healthcare surcharge.
Additionally, the United Kingdom has benefitted from the services provided by Copernicus, and the United Kingdom entities have been able to participate in calls for tenders under the Copernicus component of the Space programme.
In accordance with Article 730 of the TCA, a statistical cooperation arrangement was signed between Eurostat and the United Kingdom Statistics Authority on 9 October 2024. This arrangement sets out the framework for collaboration between Eurostat and the United Kingdom Office for National Statistics, enabling the exchange of statistical data relevant for the United Kingdom’s participation in certain EU programmes. The arrangement aims to facilitate the sharing of statistical information to support decision-making in both the EU and the United Kingdom and is part of the ongoing implementation of the TCA.
5.Developments in the law of the United Kingdom
The Commission continued to monitor closely legislative developments in the United Kingdom, in particular with regard to their impact on the commitments under the TCA.
This section summarises developments in the relevant laws of the United Kingdom that have a cross-cutting nature (Section 5.1.), that relate to subsidy control and taxation (Section 5.2.) and labour and social standards, environment and climate (Section 5.3). It looks at the most significant legislative proposals (bills) and adopted legislation (acts). In cases where legislation was adopted, the report highlights its relevance for the TCA. Announcements of policy intentions and public consultations are not covered. While these announcements may indicate a policy direction, it would be premature to draw conclusions about their relevance for the TCA.
5.1.Cross-cutting matters
The previous government of the United Kingdom passed legislation (the Illegal Migration Act 45 and the Safety of Rwanda Act 46 ) to prevent people who enter the United Kingdom illegally from staying, but to detain and promptly remove them, either to their home country or to another country. The Northern Ireland High Court ruled on 13 May 2024 47 that provisions of the Illegal Migration Act are incompatible with the Windsor Framework (Article 2(1)) and should be disapplied, and it declared other provisions to be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. On 30 January 2025, the new United Kingdom Prime Minister introduced to Parliament a new law on immigration 48 which would repeal the Safety of Rwanda Act and certain provisions of the Illegal Migration Act. The Prime Minister also pledged that the United Kingdom would not withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights. In the meantime, the Illegal Migration and Safety of Rwanda Acts remain on the statute books, although most of their provisions have not been implemented.
On 23 October 2024, the new government of the United Kingdom tabled the Data (Use and Access) Bill. 49 The objective of the Bill is, among other, to reform certain elements of the data protection framework in the United Kingdom, on which the Commission based its decisions concerning the adequacy of the level of protection for personal data. The Bill intends to make changes in several areas, notably on: (i) the legal grounds for the processing of personal data; (ii) the rules for the transfer of personal data to other countries; and (iii) the set-up and functioning of the independent data protection supervisory authority. The Commission will continue to monitor the legislative process.
The United Kingdom has continued to develop its domestic regulatory framework post-Brexit, with significant developments including the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill 50 . This Bill allows for selective alignment with updates to EU product and metrology standards where beneficial.
5.2.Subsidy control and taxation
The Commission continued to closely monitor the United Kingdom’s subsidies regime, focusing in particular on: (i) the functioning of the United Kingdom’s Subsidy Transparency Database; (ii) the enforcement activities of the Subsidy Advice Unit within the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority; and (iii) the role of the United Kingdom’s courts and tribunals in ensuring compliance with subsidy rules.
In this context, the Commission took note of the introduction of new subsidy initiatives, notably the National Wealth Fund 51 , announced in the King’s Speech of 17 July 2024, and the Great British Energy Bill 52 . The Commission will remain vigilant to ensure the full compliance of these initiatives with the subsidy provisions of the TCA and to prevent any negative effects on trade and investment between the EU and the United Kingdom. The Commission is also closely monitoring the effectiveness of the enforcement system of the United Kingdom’s subsidy control regime. Discussions on these matters have been integrated into ongoing exchanges in the framework of the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development.
As regards taxation, in line with the Joint Declaration on Countering Harmful Tax Regimes adopted alongside the TCA 53 , the EU and the United Kingdom held the first Dialogue on Countering Harmful Tax Regimes in Brussels on 10 October 2024. This dialogue aims to facilitate discussions on shaping and implementing international standards to combat harmful tax regimes, particularly those standards developed under the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) 2.0 project. The meeting, co-chaired by the EU and United Kingdom delegations, provided an opportunity for both sides to share experiences and outlooks on: (i) Pillars 1 and 2 of BEPS 2.0; and (ii) parallel developments at the United Nations. This constructive exchange reflects the TCA’s commitment to fostering cooperation on key global challenges while respecting respective powers in the field of direct taxation.
5.3.Labour and social standards, environment and climate
The EU has closely monitored developments related to the Employment Rights Bill, including the announced repeal of the Strikes (Minimum Services Level) Act on 6 August 2024 54 . These issues were addressed during the fourth meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development, held on 9 October 2024. At this meeting, the EU and the United Kingdom discussed their ongoing cooperation within the International Labour Organization, focusing in particular on the development of a new instrument aimed at regulating platform work.
In February 2024, the United Kingdom introduced a mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirement, aimed at improving nature restoration through a 10% net gain in biodiversity. This measure introduces additional environmental conditionality in planning and permitting. The potential impact on trade and investment remains to be seen.
6.Conclusions
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) remains a strong and effective foundation for EU-United Kingdom relations. It is a very good agreement and offers the best possible outcome within the red lines drawn by the United Kingdom. While it does not replace EU membership, the Agreement strikes a balance that ensures meaningful cooperation across all relevant areas.
As highlighted in this report, the TCA has already yielded important results, but its full potential has yet to be fully explored. There is still scope to increase its impact and deepen EU-United Kingdom collaboration.
In line with the Commission’s political guidelines for 2024-2029, which emphasise the importance of strengthening ties with like-minded partners in an increasingly competitive global environment, the Commission is committed to building on this framework. By aligning efforts with these broader strategic goals, the TCA plays a key role in advancing cooperation with the United Kingdom, promoting shared priorities, and contributing to a stable and constructive partnership in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Annex 1: Meetings in 2024 of the joint bodies and other structures established by the TCA
| Date | Joint body/structure |
| 2 February | Dialogue on Counter-terrorism: 1st meeting |
| 5 March | EU Domestic Advisory Group: 10th meeting |
| 20 March | Fisheries (Working Group): 7th meeting |
| 24 April | Medicinal Products (Working Group): 1st meeting |
| 16 May | Partnership Council: 3rd meeting |
| 16 May | Motor Vehicles and Parts (Working group): 1st meeting |
| 22 May | EU-United Kingdom Financial Regulatory Forum 55 : 2nd meeting |
| 23 May | Fisheries (Specialised Committee): 8th meeting |
| 5 June | Social Security Coordination (Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 12 June | Organic Products (Working Group): 1st meeting |
| 19 June | EU Domestic Advisory Group: 11th meeting |
| 31 July | Fisheries (Working Group): 8th meeting |
| 4 September | Air Transport (Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 19 September | EU Domestic Advisory Group: 12th meeting |
| 20 September | Civil Society Forum: 3rd meeting |
| 24 September | Fisheries (Specialised Committee): 9th meeting |
| 30 September | Administrative Cooperation in VAT and Recovery of Taxes and Duties (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 3 October | Public Procurement (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 7 October | Technical Barriers to Trade (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 9 October | Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 10 October | Dialogue on Harmful Tax Regimes: 56 1st meeting |
| 17 October | Customs Cooperation and Rules of Origin (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 21 October | Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 23 October | Goods (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 24 October | Services, Investment and Digital Trade (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 4 November | Regulatory Cooperation (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 7 November | Energy (Specialised Committee): 5th meeting |
| 13 November | Intellectual Property (Trade Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 14 November | Road Transport (Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 21 November | Aviation Safety (Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 5-6 December | Dialogue on cyber issues: 2nd meeting |
| 11 December | Participation in Union Programmes (Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
| 12 December | EU Domestic Advisory Group: 13th meeting |
| 12 December | Trade Partnership Committee: 4th meeting |
| 13 December | Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation (Specialised Committee): 4th meeting |
Annex 2: Overview of the actions for implementation agreed by the Partnership Council on 16 May 2024
| Topic | State of play |
| Working Group on Energy Security of Supply | COMPLETED: Working Group established by the Specialised Committee on Energy on 7 November 2024. |
| Roadmap on Efficient Electricity Trading Arrangements | COMPLETED: Roadmap agreed by the Specialised Committee on Energy on 7 November 2024. |
| Agreement on Competition Cooperation | NEAR COMPLETION: Technical discussions concluded at the end of October 2024 57 . Ratification procedures underway by both Parties for formal conclusion. |
| United Kingdom Access to the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (Safety Gate) | ONGOING: Technical discussions are still in progress. |
| Joint Action Plan between the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and its United Kingdom counterpart | COMPLETED: Joint Action Plan became operational on 15 July 2024. |
| United Kingdom Access to EU vehicle registration data | ONGOING: Preparatory work is in progress. On 20 May, the United Kingdom submitted its letter of readiness, stating that it had implemented the obligations under Part Three Title II of the TCA. Subsequently, the competent Working Parties in the Council of the EU initiated the evaluation procedure under Article 540 TCA. |
| Arrangements for information exchange on transport managers and road haulage operators | ONGOING: Two decisions by the Specialised Committee on Road Transport required – on a common list of infringements and on the modalities for the United Kingdom’s reconnection to the ERRU (European Registers of Road Transport Undertakings). |
Annex 3: Decisions and recommendations adopted by the Partnership Council or Committees established by the TCA in 2024
| Date | Decision or Recommendation |
| 5 April | Decision No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy on the guidance on frameworks for cooperation between, respectively, ENTSO-E and the United Kingdom transmission system operators for electricity, ENTSOG and the United Kingdom transmission system operators for gas, and ACER and the regulatory authority in the United Kingdom designated in accordance with Article 310 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (GEMA and Utility Regulator) 58 |
| 5 June | Recommendation No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination as regards further guidance on the implementation of the Protocol on Social Security Coordination to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (the Protocol) concerning the interpretation of Article SSC.11 of the Protocol on the legislation applicable to detached workers and self-employed persons temporarily working outside the competent State 59 |
| 30 September | Decision No 1/2024 of the Trade Specialised Committee on Administrative Cooperation in VAT and Recovery of Taxes and Duties amending Decision 4/2023 on standard forms for the communication of information and statistical data, the transmission of information via the Common Communication Network and the practical arrangements for the organisation of contacts between central liaison offices and liaison departments 60 |
| 5 November | Decision No 1/2024 of the Partnership Council modifying Annex 3 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Product Specific Rules of Origin) 61 |
| 7 November | Decision No 2/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy as regards the establishment of a Working Group on Security of Supply 62 |
| 8 November | Decision No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination as regards the amendment of certain Annexes to the Protocol on Social Security Coordination 63 |
| 19 December | Recommendation No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy to each Party concerning the preparation of technical procedures for the efficient use of electricity interconnectors 64 |
(1)
Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, OJ L149, 30.4.2021, p.10, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/689(1)/oj
(2)
Council Decision (EU) 2021/689 of 29 April 2021 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, and of the Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information, OJ L149, 30.4.2021, p.2: ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/689/oj .
(3)
Meetings of the EU-United Kingdom Partnership Council and Specialised Committees under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/relations-non-eu-countries/relations-united-kingdom/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement/meetings-eu-uk-partnership-council-and-specialised-committees-under-trade-and-cooperation-agreement_en .
(4)
The minutes of the meeting are available at: https://commission.europa.eu/publications/third-meeting-partnership-council-established-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement_en .
(5)
The border target operating model is the rulebook for the United Kingdom’s new import regime.
(6)
Minutes of the meetings: www.eesc.europa.eu/en/sections-other-bodies/other">https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/sections-other-bodies/other .
(7)
https://ec.europa.eu/assets/sg/complaint_eu_uk_tca/complaints_en/ and https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/single-entry-point-0 .
(8)
These submissions raised issues such as EU farming grants not being available in Northern Ireland and the right to United Kingdom state benefits for United Kingdom citizens residing in the EU, or topics unrelated to EU-United Kingdom relations including problems at border crossings other than with the United Kingdom, and difficulties in obtaining information from customs authorities on goods to be carried across to Belarus.
(9)
The data refers to the year 2023.
(10)
The preference utilisation rate reflects the share of imports or exports entering under trade preferences as a share of the total value of imports or exports eligible for preferences by partner country.
(11)
For further details on the implementation of the EU’s free trade agreements, see the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/enforcement-and-protection/implementing-and-enforcing-eu-trade-agreements_en .
(12)
Member States and the United Kingdom had until then been reporting data regularly to allow for assessing the use of the temporary measures under the VAT Protocol.
(13)
Decision No 1/2024 of the Partnership Council modifying Annex 3 to the TCA (Product Specific Rules of Origin), OJ L, 2024/2837, 5.11.2024, ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2837/oj .
(14)
Inspection rates by commodity type are published on United Kingdom government’s website, but the extent of their applications remains unclear. For live animals (classified as a high-risk category), border checks have not yet been implemented due to the absence of approved seaport border control posts designated for such checks. Similarly, border checks are not yet in place for consignments from the island of Ireland, as no border control posts have been established on the west coast of Britain.
(15)
Shortly before the deadline of 31 October 2024 for the requirement to present customs safety and security declarations to start applying, the United Kingdom again delayed the start of application to 31 January 2025. Delays in implementing controls for EU and EFTA live animal imports and checks on non-qualifying goods from Ireland are expected to continue until summer 2025, with existing procedures remaining in place.
(16)
CE marking is a certification that indicates a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. It is required for products manufactured anywhere in the world that are then marketed in the EU.
(17)
All figures are based – unless specified otherwise – on Eurostat data: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/international-trade-in-goods/overview .
(18)
The report uses 2019 as a benchmark because it reflects trade between the EU and the United Kingdom under single market conditions, and before the COVID pandemic affected data. In 2019, trade data followed EU Member State statistical concepts. Since January 2021, trade with the United Kingdom is reported separately from Northern Ireland, using non-EU trade concepts for the United Kingdom and intra-EU concepts for Northern Ireland. Eurostat publishes goods trade with the United Kingdom in its ‘extra-EU’ datasets.
(19)
House of Commons. (2024) Statistics on UK-EU trade. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7851/ .
(20)
In the Partnership Council meeting of 16 May 2024, in the Trade Specialised Committee on Services, Investment and Digital Trade meeting of 24 October 2024, and in the Trade Partnership Committee of 12 December 2024.
(21)
Service Supplier (Global Business Mobility) visa.
(22)
As explained in last year’s report, the proposal from the initial Joint Recommendation of October 2022 was unbalanced and prejudicial to EU architects.
(23)
The Commission is entrusted with certain implementation and enforcement tasks under Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p.1, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj .
(24)
All figures are based – unless specified otherwise – on Eurostat data: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/balance-of-payments/overview https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/international-trade-in-services/overview .
(25)
House of Commons. (2024) Statistics on UK-EU trade. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7851/ .
(26)
The types of services included under ‘Other’ are: SA - manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others, SB - maintenance and repair services, SE - construction, SK - personal, cultural, and recreational services, SL - government goods and services and services not allocated.
(27)
Press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5468 .
(28)
Decision No 2/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy: 741b6df6-7270-4cb1-b00e-9ac18a1e12b7_en .
(29)
Memorandum of understanding on offshore renewable energy cooperation between the participants of the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), of the one side, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other side: https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/9198696f-e42c-4a88-b4f1-7a1788eb9b7c/library/6eba274d-4cae-4e40-b9b7-c9775812803a/details .
(30)
Decision No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy, OJ L, 2024/1550, 31.5.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1550/oj .
(31)
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas in the EU and the transmission system operators for electricity and gas in the United Kingdom.
(32)
The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators and the regulatory authority in the United Kingdom.
(33)
See Annex C of the minutes of the meeting of the Specialised Committee on Energy of 7 November 2024: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/02c700d0-3e75-4af0-ae45-119983d9cf6c_en?filename=20241107-eu-uk-sce-5th-meeting-final-en.pdf .
(34)
Recommendation No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy: 388d6f57-7f4a-46b1-802f-7ea585673517_en .
(35)
The following Member States have signed bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
(36)
www.gov.uk/government/news">https://www.gov.uk/government/news .
(37)
www.gov.scot/publications">https://www.gov.scot/publications .
(38)
Further information on the dispute is available in the April 2024 press release on the opening of consultations: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fen/ip_24_2050 and in the Daily News of 25 October 2024 on the EU’s request for establishment of arbitration tribunal:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_24_5470 .
(39)
See press release: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-and-uk-agree-fishing-opportunities-2025-worth-eu14-billion-eu-fishers-2024-12-09_en .
(40)
Recommendation No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination, OJ L, 2024/1754, 24.6.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1754/oj .
(41)
Decision No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination, OJ L, 2024/3002, 8.11.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/3002/oj .
(42)
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
(43)
See last year’s report for further information on the procedure for the association.
(44)
The United Kingdom also obtained access to services of the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking component of the Space Programme.
(45)
Illegal Migration Act 2023: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/37">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/37 .
(46)
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/8">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/8 .
(47)
Summary of judgment - In re NIHRC and JR 295 (Illegal Migration Act 2023): www.judiciaryni.uk/judicial-decisions">https://www.judiciaryni.uk/judicial-decisions
(48)
Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3929 .
(49)
Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL]: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3825 . The Data Protection and Digital Information (No 2) Bill of the previous government was discontinued.
(50)
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3752 .
(51)
The National Wealth Fund was announced in the King’s Speech of 17 July 2024. Through public private partnerships, the National Wealth Fund aims to mobilise private investment for the United Kingdom’s clean energy transition. It will have a total capitalisation of £27.8 billion.
(52)
The purpose of this Bill is to enable the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to designate a company as Great British Energy. Great British Energy will be a company wholly-owned by the United Kingdom Government. Its objectives will be to facilitate, encourage and participate in the production, distribution, storage and supply of clean energy; the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from energy produced from fossil fuels; improvements in energy efficiency; and measures for ensuring energy security.
(53)
OJ L 444, 31.12.2020, p. 1475, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/declar/2020/2252/oj .
(54)
www.gov.uk/government/news">https://www.gov.uk/government/news .
(55)
Pursuant to the Joint Declaration on Financial Services Regulatory Cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom, made by the Parties on the occasion of the conclusion of the TCA.
(56)
Pursuant to the Joint Political Declaration on Countering Harmful Tax Regimes, made by the Parties on occasion of the conclusion of the TCA.
(57)
Press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5468 .
(58)
OJ L, 2024/1550, 31.5.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1550/oj .
(59)
OJ L, 2024/1754, 24.6.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1754/oj .
(60)
OJ L, 2024/2736, 24.10.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2736/oj .
(61)
OJ L, 2024/2837, 6.11.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2837/oj .
(62)
Decision No 2/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy: 741b6df6-7270-4cb1-b00e-9ac18a1e12b7_en .
(63)
OJ L, 2024/3002, 8.11.2024, ELI: data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/3002/oj
(64)
Recommendation No 1/2024 of the Specialised Committee on Energy: 388d6f57-7f4a-46b1-802f-7ea585673517_en .