To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with UK trade partners on protecting International Labour Organisation standards in future trade agreements.
Answered on
7 September 2020
We share the public’s high regard for worker protections. That’s why, in line with our international obligations – including those under the International Labour Organisation – HM Government will continue to ensure a high level of protection for British labour standards in new trade agreements.
While the detail of free trade agreements are reserved for formal negotiations, HM Government has publicly committed to protecting labour standards in our outline approaches to Free Trade Agreements with the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Britain has been consistently clear in both our mandates and objectives that we will negotiate agreements that maintain our high standards for businesses, workers and consumers.