Statement on balance of competences between the UK and EU

Balance of competences

The Foreign Secretary announced the Government is carrying out a review of the EU’s competences (the power to act in particular areas conferred on it by the EU Treaties).

The review will analyse the UK's membership of the EU and how the EU's competences are used.

Further information about the review including a copy of the Command Paper on the Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Review of balance of competences (external website)

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Douglas Alexander, responded to the statement on behalf of the Opposition.

Watch and read the statement and the views expressed by MPs on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard. Also find current parliamentary material on European Union in the Topics and News sections.

• Parliament TV: Statement on balance of competences between the UK and EU 
• Commons Hansard: Statement on balance of competences between the UK and EU
• Topics: European Union
• Parliamentary news: European Union

Oral statements

Oral statements are made after Question Time (or at 11am on a Friday). Statements normally relate to matters of policy or government actions. At the end of a statement, MPs can respond or question the government minister on its contents.

• About Parliament: Ministerial statements