My Lords, I am grateful for the support from the noble Baroness, Lady Garden of Frognal, and for the contribution made by my noble friend Lord Jones. I will come to my noble friend’s questions. I will try to answer everything but if I do not cover all his questions, I will definitely write to him.
As regards the aptitude test, most of the regulators operate autonomously, so it is up to individual regulators to manage the various assessments. The aptitude test will be covered by the respective regulators themselves. Currently, these regulations cover over 200 profession but some of the royal-chartered professions, such as accountancy and engineering, are not covered by them. My noble friend Lord Jones asked how many people had taken the aptitude test in Wales and how they managed it. I am afraid I do not have the answer and will have to write to him.
As I have set out, the regulations implement the UK-Switzerland recognition of professional qualifications agreement. They require regulators to operate routes to recognition for comparable Swiss professional qualifications, in accordance with the agreement. They give powers to regulators to recognise comparable qualifications where necessary. The regulations provide certainty for professionals and UK service sectors, allowing them to continue to access smooth and transparent routes to recognition once the citizens’ rights agreement provisions expire at the end of this year. As Switzerland is also passing legislation requiring Swiss regulators to recognise UK qualifications, these benefits are reciprocal.
As I have emphasised, these regulations continue to uphold the principle of regulator autonomy as set out in the Professional Qualifications Act 2022. Departmental officials have also engaged extensively with regulators and the devolved Governments throughout the implementation of this agreement. I trust that noble Lords understand and recognise the need for these regulations and the benefits that they will bring to the UK’s services trade. Once again, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions, and commend these draft regulations to the Committee.