1-20 of 87 results for member:"Nick Thomas-Symonds"
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To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions his Department has had with the European Union regarding the 90-days/180-days short-stay rule within the Schengen Area for UK nationals.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions his Department has had with the European Union regarding the 90-days/180-days short-stay rule within the Schengen Area for UK nationals.
Ministers and officials from across the Government, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to offer EU students home tuition fee rates in order to facilitate a new EU/UK agreement.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to offer EU students home tuition fee rates in order to facilitate a new EU/UK agreement.
Most new EU students who were not lawfully resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 pay international tuition fees. Changes to tuition fees status for EU students were not agreed at the May 2025 Summit and do not form part of the Common Understanding. We are focussed on implementing what was agreed at the May 2025 Summit.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will use forthcoming UK-EU discussions to seek a temporary solution for UK (a) professional HGV and (b) coach drivers affected by (i) incomplete or (ii) disputed EU Entry/Exit System records.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will use forthcoming UK-EU discussions to seek a temporary solution for UK (a) professional HGV and (b) coach drivers affected by (i) incomplete or (ii) disputed EU Entry/Exit System records.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an EU scheme, and its implementation, including the use of flexibilities permitted by the relevant legislation on biometric collection, is a matter for the European Commission and participating EU member states.
This Government remains committed to seeing EES implemented in a way that protects border fluidity and minimises disruption for travellers, hauliers and businesses. I have regularly engaged with counterparts in the EU to encourage the pragmatic approach to implementation and maximum use of available flexibilities.
Where a traveller believes their EES record may not have been recorded correctly, the official EES website provides contact details for data protection authorities in participating countries. Official EES guidance also states that travellers have the right to request access to their personal data held within EES and, where appropriate, to request that inaccurate data is corrected or deleted.
My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for her constituency and for this particular cause. What she has said today has been heard very clearly.
My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for her constituency and for this particular cause. What she has said today has been heard very clearly.
As we approach the upcoming EU-UK summit, can I urge the Minister to make sure that restoring international trains at Ashford International is firmly on the agenda for discussions with our European neighbours? It would bring over half a million extra visitors to Sussex and Kent every year and £2.5 billion of economic growth. Everything we need is sitting there in pristine condition, ready to go—it is a no-brainer. Will the Minister support it?
Yes, I have. I assure my hon. Friend that I will continue to work on it with our colleagues, and it remains a priority for the Government.
Yes, I have. I assure my hon. Friend that I will continue to work on it with our colleagues, and it remains a priority for the Government.
Brexit has created a number of serious barriers to the ability of UK artists to tour in Europe. Has the Minister had a chance to look at the recently published Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on this issue, which proposes a number of practical measures to remove those barriers, and will he work with CMS Ministers to act on its recommendations?
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what representations he has received from the European Commission on international fees charged to EU students studying at UK universities.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what representations he has received from the European Commission on international fees charged to EU students studying at UK universities.
Most new EU students who were not lawfully resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 pay international tuition fees. Changes to tuition fees status for EU students were not agreed at the May 2025 Summit and do not form part of the Common Understanding.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent engagement the Prime Minister has had with his European counterparts on the war in Ukraine.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent engagement the Prime Minister has had with his European counterparts on the war in Ukraine.
I refer the Hon Member to the Joint E3 Leaders’ Statement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine from 7 June 2026, available on gov.uk.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of an EU youth mobility scheme on (a) domestic unemployment levels, (b) domestic welfare dependency and (c) the number of young UK nationals in work.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of an EU youth mobility scheme on (a) domestic unemployment levels, (b) domestic welfare dependency and (c) the number of young UK nationals in work.
This Government is committed to ensuring opportunities for young British citizens to live, work, study, and travel across the European Union. That is why at the 2025 UK-EU Summit, we agreed to negotiate a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited, ensuring any impact of the scheme is controlled. The scheme will give young British citizens the opportunity to develop personal and professional experiences, which will boost their employment prospects. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters of the scheme are subject of ongoing negotiations.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what timetable the Government has set for implementation of a UK-EU youth mobility or youth experience scheme; what assessment he has made of the potential economic, educational and cultural benefits of increased youth mobility between the UK and EU member states; what...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what timetable the Government has set for implementation of a UK-EU youth mobility or youth experience scheme; what assessment he has made of the potential economic, educational and cultural benefits of increased youth mobility between the UK and EU member states; what...
We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. Any scheme will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, work, study and experience other cultures. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to negotiation. The youth experience scheme will be good for the economy, but we will not be able to provide a full assessment of the impacts whilst negotiations are ongoing.
This scheme will support opportunities for educational and cultural exchange, building on the exciting opportunities our association to Erasmus+ in 2027 brings.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Minister will discuss routes for British citizens to be employed in the EU in the longer term with his EU counterpart; for example, whether it would be possible for youth mobility participants to transfer onto other visa routes such as...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Minister will discuss routes for British citizens to be employed in the EU in the longer term with his EU counterpart; for example, whether it would be possible for youth mobility participants to transfer onto other visa routes such as...
UK nationals who wish to work in the EU are subject to the immigration requirements of the relevant Member States. This Government is committed to ensuring opportunities for British citizens to live, work, study, and travel across the European Union. That is why at the 2025 UK-EU Summit, we agreed to negotiate a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters of the scheme are subject of ongoing negotiations.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on allowing British citizens participating in the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme.to move between EU Member States.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on allowing British citizens participating in the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme.to move between EU Member States.
We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States.
We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on pathways for British citizens to be employed in the EU for a limited time if they come off the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme and prior to the expiry of their youth...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on pathways for British citizens to be employed in the EU for a limited time if they come off the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme and prior to the expiry of their youth...
We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States.
We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with her EU counterparts on the potential impact of the 90-in-180-day rule on UK nationals since January 2025.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with her EU counterparts on the potential impact of the 90-in-180-day rule on UK nationals since January 2025.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government will make payments to the European Union to participate in the Youth Mobility Scheme.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government will make payments to the European Union to participate in the Youth Mobility Scheme.
We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits and EU citizens with the opportunity to travel, work, study and experience other cultures.
We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation. This will not include financial contributions to the European Union - that is not how youth mobility schemes operate.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the EU on the 90/180-day rule for UK nationals visiting the Schengen area; and whether it plans to seek changes to that rule.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the EU on the 90/180-day rule for UK nationals visiting the Schengen area; and whether it plans to seek changes to that rule.
HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals.
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with EU counterparts on establishing reciprocal arrangements for the duration of visa-free tourist stays between the UK and countries in the Schengen Area.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with EU counterparts on establishing reciprocal arrangements for the duration of visa-free tourist stays between the UK and countries in the Schengen Area.
HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals.
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on whether there is any unallocated money in the EU SAFE fund.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on whether there is any unallocated money in the EU SAFE fund.
UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. We remain fully committed to our close cooperation with the EU and European partners to strengthen European security and continue to work to progress commitments on security and defence made at the 2025 UK-EU Summit.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on whether there will be a second round of the EU SAFE fund.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on whether there will be a second round of the EU SAFE fund.
UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. We remain fully committed to our close cooperation with the EU and European partners to strengthen European security and continue to work to progress commitments on security and defence made at the 2025 UK-EU Summit.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to help improve reciprocal visa-waiver arrangements with the EU.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to help improve reciprocal visa-waiver arrangements with the EU.
HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals.
The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the status of the negotiations with the European Union on the Youth Experience Scheme, and whether the UK is discussing making financial contributions to the EU.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the status of the negotiations with the European Union on the Youth Experience Scheme, and whether the UK is discussing making financial contributions to the EU.
We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We are committed to implementing the outcomes of the May 2025 Summit in a timely manner and so are working towards concluding negotiations by the time of the next EU-UK summit.
We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation. This will not include financial contributions to the European Union - that is not how youth mobility schemes operate.