Lords committee launches inquiry into UK’s accession to CPTPP

Following the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on 16 July 2023, the House of Lords InternatioInal Agreements Committee has today launched an inquiry into the accession. 

The committee’s previous report on negotiating objectives outlined the case for accession, citing the economic benefits, but also raised concerns over certain agricultural, environmental and geopolitical issues. The committee’s new inquiry will focus on if and how these issues were resolved, and the outlook for the UK’s future participation in CPTPP. 

Questions the committee is seeking evidence on include:

• What is your view of the overall likely economic benefit of CPTPP for the UK?
• What is your view of the agricultural market access it gives?
• How might UK manufacturers and consumers gain or lose from the CPTPP provisions on cumulation of origin?
• How far does it provide UK services firms with new market access 
• Has the NHS been protected?
• What are the implications of CPTPP for the UK’s domestic environmental policies and regulations
• What is the potential impact of the agreement on the devolved administrations?
• What are your views on the likely future development of the CPTPP and how this could affect the UK? 

The committee invites interested individuals to submit written evidence by 4pm on Friday 22 September 2023. The full call for evidence and further information is available on the committee’s website.   

Lord Goldsmith, Chair of the International Agreements Committee said: 

“In 2021, the committee published a report scrutinising the Government’s negotiating objectives for this agreement, in which we discussed the case for accession and highlighted some concerns. We are pleased that an agreement has been concluded and are hopeful that joining the partnership will be beneficial for the UK. However, we are keen to find out if our concerns have been resolved in the UK’s terms of accession. 

“We would like to know more about the economic benefits and disadvantages of the agreement, its agricultural and services provisions, its effect on manufacturers, and the impact on environmental protection, among other issues. We hope the evidence we receive will allow us to draw conclusions on the real benefits and pitfalls of the treaty. 

“We encourage a wide range of individuals and organisations to come forward and submit evidence to help inform our inquiry, so we can hold the Government accountable in ensuring that the best possible deal has been secured for the UK and that any concerns have been addressed sufficiently.”