& ee Steel Sony haa acinar al es peat ecicee Deaeee frag een = for Exiting the Swi ons European Union Chuka Umunna MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Our ref: SB012854 hapeshalarbane ({ suly 2017 Thank you for your email of 11 July, regarding your concerns about our EU withdrawal agreement. | am responding on behalf of the Prime Minister. The whole of Government is preparing for the UK to make an orderly and successful exit from the European Union. | would like to assure you that we put economic stability first, helping the UK make the most of the opportunities ahead by laying the foundations of a stronger, fairer Britain outside the EU - a country that works for everyone. As the Prime Minister has stated previously, we do not approach the negotiations expecting failure, but anticipating success. We have started from a unique position of close regulatory alignment, trust in one another's institutions, and a spirit of cooperation stretching back decades. The future partnership between the UK and the EU is of such importance to both sides that we are sure we can achieve an outcome that works for everyone. In relation to a ‘no-deal’ scenario, any responsible government would prepare for a range of possible outcomes from the negotiation, and this is what we are doing, The Department for Exiting the EU is working with every department and building a detailed understanding of how withdrawal affects domestic policies. This will ensure that departments are prepared both for a negotiated settlement but also for the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached We will keep Parliament informed throughout the entire process and have committed to keeping the UK Parliament at least as well informed as the European Parliament as negotiations progress. Please be reassured that MPs will not be at a disadvantage.The UK hopes to enjoy a deep and special partnership with the EU, as their closest friend and neighbour. We are approaching the negotiations constructively, aiming to give citizens and businesses as much certainty as possible, as early as possible What's important now is that the Government brings the country together and channels its energies towards a successful deal, securing a new partnership with the EU which guarantees our long term prosperity. inet: OL. STEVE BAKER MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION