UK Health Minister Confirms No EU Rejoining Plans While Announcing Food Standards Alignment with Europe

# UK Government Rejects EU Rejoining Amid Standards Alignment Push Health Minister Karin Smyth rejected suggestions that the government intends to rejoin the European Union through the backdoor. She stated: 'No, this is work that we are doing. ' Smyth confirmed that rejoining either the Customs Union or Single Market remains off the table.

' She added that any measures requiring parliamentary approval would be brought before MPs.

Food and Drink Standards Alignment to Support Exports Smyth stated that exports have declined massively since Brexit, and aligning food and drink standards more dynamically with European colleagues would help with those exports and forge relationships with European partners.

Aligning food and drink standards more closely with European counterparts would boost trade and strengthen partnerships with EU nations. The government has reset the relationship with European partners, led by Keir Starmer.

Parliamentary Update on Women's Safe Spaces Guidance Smyth confirmed that a parliamentary statement on delays to publishing guidance on women's safe spaces would be delivered later today.

She stated: 'This particular guidance does need to come out. We all want to see that the Supreme Court judgement was clear. ' The government accepted the Supreme Court judgement on women's safe spaces.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson would provide an updated statement outlining the next steps on women's safe spaces guidance later today in Parliament. ' GB News reported these statements from Smyth and the government source during an interview on April 14, 2026.