Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government written question – answered at on 5 January 2026.
James Cleverly
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions the Government has had with the EU on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the UK meets annually with the European Commission through the Level Playing Field Trade Specialised Committee to discuss the implementation of the Level Playing Field chapter within which Article 391 (non-regression from levels of environmental protection) sits.
Last year’s meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee was held on 15 October. The Trade Partnership Committee also met on the 4 December 2025 under the EU-UK TCA.
At both meetings, the UK provided an overview of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (now Act) and both parties agreed to ongoing engagement following Royal Assent, where the focus will shift to the implementation of the measures.
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