A Bill giving UK regulators the ability to recognize professional qualifications issued by other countries started its passage through the UK Parliament last month.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement ratified by the UK and the EU does not provide for automatic recognition of professional qualifications. Instead, it provides a commitment that both sides will seek to establish more detailed reciprocal arrangements on a sector-by-sector basis in the future.

If the Bill is passed, UK regulators will have autonomy to assess qualifications and pursue mutual recognition agreements with counterparts in other countries.

The UK’s Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the proposals will ensure skilled professionals from around the world can have their qualifications recognized in the UK. The Bill should also allow businesses and professionals to provide services in parts of the world other than Europe, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Services said.