UK-EU deal a 'win-win', Starmer says, as Badenoch brands it a 'sell-out'
Starmer: Britain Is Back On The World Stage
BBC News
SUMMARY
UK-EU deal is a "win-win", Prime Minister Keir Starmer says after announcing a wide-ranging agreement on food, fishing, defence and passport checks
British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates when travelling around the EU - though it's unclear when those changes would come into effect
On fishing, a new deal keeps the status quo of EU boats having access to UK waters until 2038 - Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accuses the PM of "selling-out" the sector
It'll also be easier to trade food across the UK-EU border, and a new security pact will allow Britain to access EU funds for defence development
While trade-offs remain in this new deal, the nature of those trade-offs has changed in recent months, writes economics editor Faisal Islam
Summary
UK-EU deal is a "win-win", Prime Minister Keir Starmer says after announcing a wide-ranging agreement on food, fishing, defence and passport checks
British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates when travelling around the EU - though it's unclear when those changes would come into effect
On fishing, a new deal keeps the status quo of EU boats having access to UK waters until 2038 - Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accuses the PM of "selling-out" the sector
It'll also be easier to trade food across the UK-EU border, and a new security pact will allow Britain to access EU funds for defence development
While trade-offs remain in this new deal, the nature of those trade-offs has changed in recent months, writes economics editor Faisal Islam
'Britain is back on the world stage' says PM as EU deal struck
'Don't hold your breath' on e-gates timing - law professor
Our colleagues on Radio 4 have spoken to Catherine Barnard, a professor of European law at Cambridge University.
They asked Barnard when we're likely to see e-gates used broadly by travellers entering the EU.
She says the written agreement between the UK and the EU only mentions the "potential use of e-gates where appropriate."
Barnard adds: "It's up to the member states to work out when they will introduce this - so don't hold your breath."
Unclear when British holidaymakers could use e-gates while travelling to EU
Harry Farley
Political correspondentThe prime minister has said he wants British passports holders to be able to use e-gates at European airports "as soon as possible".
Keir Starmer told reporters the deal with the EU had wiped away any sense that the European Commission thought there was any reason for it not to happen.
"We will be pushing hard for this to be done," he said.
But it is up to individual EU member states to decide whether British passport holders can use e-gates at their airports.
The text of the agreement notes "that European Union citizens can use e-gates in the United Kingdom and that there will be no legal barriers to eGate use for British Nationals traveling to and from European Union Member States after the introduction of the European Union Entry/Exit System."
However, there is no obligation on individual countries to allow the use of e-gates, nor any firm timescale for when it could happen.
Photos show UK-EU leaders at negotiating table
Before the news conference, UK and EU leaders were at the summit finalising the deals.
We're seeing some photos in our newsroom now showing what it looked like in the room.
Getty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesEU-UK deal: What we do - and don't - know
Sam Francis
Political reporterReutersThe UK and the EU have reached a new deal setting out post-Brexit relations on areas including fishing rights, trade and defence.
While we wait for more details, let's have a quick scan through the key elements of the series of deals:
On fishing...
- It will keep the current fishing status quo giving EU boats continued access to UK waters until 2038
- The UK will continue to agree yearly quotas with the EU and Norway and issue licences to control who fishes in its waters
On food...
- The UK will get reduced checks on food exports to the EU
- The new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement means the UK can sell raw burgers and sausages back into the EU for the first time since Brexit
On defence...
- A formal UK-EU defence and security pact has been established, which the government says "paves the way" for UK-based arms firms to access the Security Action for Europe (Safe) - a £150bn EU fund providing loans for defence projects
On passport checks and youth mobility scheme...
- The UK and the EU have agreed to co-operate further on a "youth experience scheme" - but this will be subject to further negotiations
- British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates at more European airports - although it is not yet clear when this will come into force
'Historic moment' or 'sell-out' for UK fishermen? Quick recap of the news conference
EPAAs we've been reporting, Keir Starmer has just held a news conference with European Council President António Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
As we keep bringing you all the reactions and analysis, here’s a quick recap of what they’ve said:
- Starmer says Britain is back on the world stage and calls it a "landmark" deal between the EU and UK
- European Commission President von der Leyen calls it a "historic moment"
- Our political editor asks if Starmer has "sold out" UK fishermen to get this deal, but both Starmer and von der Leyen say the agreement could bring stability for people working in the fishing industry
- Starmer didn't give a figure when asked how many EU young people would be acceptable to come to the UK under the youth mobility scheme
- When asked if there are plans for the UK to re-join the customs union, European Council president António Costa says "this is the past"
Trade-offs for the EU deal remain but have changed in recent months
Faisal Islam
Economics editorThere are trade-offs here, however.
Fishing concessions offered by Boris Johnson have been extended by 12 years, in exchange for a permanent arrangement on food and farm exports.
The fishing industry is worth £1bn a year in total, whereas food and farm exports to the EU alone are worth £10bn.
Even within fishing, these arrangements will help those selling into the EU, langoustines from South Shields that are the toast of Parisian restaurants, monkfish for Spain and Scottish salmon exported to Europe.
The UK will have to align with EU food standards as they change and have some input, if not a veto.
One of the principal objections to this, in the era of Brexit political turmoil, was that such a deal would shut out the possibility of global trade deals, especially the US.
The government has already signed some of the big global trade deals. The US administration itself has downplayed its concerns over changing UK food standards away from Europe.
So while trade-offs remain, the nature of those trade-offs has changed in recent months.
The EU deal should be worth more than India deal
Faisal Islam
Economics editorWe have been watching the ins and outs of this deal for the last few months, but it has its roots in how Brexit altered the UK's relationship with the EU.
In particular, this move represents an attempt by the Labour government to deal with the economic frictions which were caused by the way Brexit was implemented by the previous administration.
This deal should solve some of the bureaucracy and red tape that Brexit brought on, in particular for food, farm and fish exports, and was one of the concrete promises of Labour’s general election manifesto.
In some ways it is a rather narrow economic deal. However, the UK’s trade with the EU is so colossal that it should be worth more than, for example, the India deal: £9bn a year by 2040, versus £5bn a year for India.
Badenoch 'gobsmacked' at PM's deals as she brands fishing agreement 'a sell-out'
PA MediaThe details of the deal were announced in a press release ahead of the prime minister’s news conference with António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.
Shortly after the announcement, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "gobsmacked" by the series of deals the prime minister has signed.
Badenoch called the deal "a sell-out on fishing" and said Keir Starmer has taken the UK "back to square one".
"We should be using opportunities of leaving the European Union and not taking steps back," she said.
Badenoch did welcome news on e-gates access in European countries and pet passports, but said she has concerns about what the UK has given away in concessions.
Starmer hails speed of reaching deal with EU
EPAWe're at the final part of the news conference, where Starmer shows some disbelief at how quickly today’s deal with the EU was delivered.
“In six months or so we’re able to agree this broad range ... of issues,” he says. “In the past I genuinely think it would have taken very much longer to reach any one of these strands of the agreement.”
Von der Leyen agrees, saying that for the EU’s €150 billion (£129.3 billion) security package, “it’s a question of - I hope - only a few weeks, and then we should be done.”
With that, the news conference marking the first ever post-Brexit summit between the EU and UK comes to a close.
Stay with us as we keep bringing you all the reactions and expert insights.
Von der Leyen says 12-year fisheries deal brings stability to both sides of English Channel
A Dutch news agency asks why a permanent solution to fishing wasn’t agreed and whether it’s still on the table in future talks and summits.
“What we have achieved today is looking forwards not backwards,” Starmer says.
Von der Leyen says the agreement brings stability for fishermen and fisherwomen on both sides of the English Channel.
Twelve years allows for good investment, she adds.
Starmer gives no figure on youth mobility scheme cap
A journalist asks Starmer how many EU young people would be an acceptable number to come to the UK.
Von der Leyen is also asked if the EU will wait for a more detailed agreement before starting the scheme.
Starmer doesn’t give a specific figure, but says the scheme is not “uncapped”.
Everything will be done through “mutual agreements” going forward, he says.
Von der Leyen says what’s important is to sort out all the detail, but says the “political will” is clearly stated in the paper.
“This is good news for the young people,” she says.
How to protect rights of EU citizens living in the UK?
ReutersThe press conference has now moved to questions from the EU press corps.
The first question is about how to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.
Starmer says today's deal "builds on the agreements that we have", adding that his government will stick to the existing agreements with the EU.
Von der Leyen, when asked about the EU's lawsuit last year against the UK over free movement, says it is part of the "normal process" to seek legal clarity.
Costa goes further, saying "he's very satisfied" because there is now a roadmap to deliver for both EU and UK citizens.
Costa says customs union is 'the past' for UK
European Council President António Costa is asked if there are any plans for the UK to re-join the customs union at future summits.
"This is the past," Costa replies. "Now with Keir Starmer we are turning the page. Look at the future, we are closing the gaps, but building on a new strategic partnership.
"A very ambitious road map not to return to the single market, not to return to the customs union but to do better together as neighbours, partners, allies and friends."
Starmer says fisheries deal offers 'no stability for anyone' if negotiated yearly
ReutersNext, a journalist brings up the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, which earlier today called the new deal “a horror show for Scottish fishermen”.
The prime minister is then asked, "have you been stitched up like a kipper?"
Starmer repeats his earlier points about the “driving principles” being bills, jobs and borders.
He notes that the current fishing agreement was set to end in 2026, after which there would have been yearly negotiations - Starmer says that would have meant “no stability for anyone”.
Is Starmer backsliding on Brexit?
A journalist challenges Keir Starmer about the 12-year fisheries deal and the youth scheme agreement, asking if people are criticising him for backsliding on Brexit.
Starmer says the deal is "balanced, reciprocal and has huge benefits" for the UK.
He says it delivers by driving down bills, creating more jobs, and keeping control of the borders.
Starmer also says supermarkets are welcoming the deal.
Starmer says EU deal 'hugely important' for UK
For several minutes, Starmer reminds the press why he believes it’s a “hugely ambitious” and “hugely important” deal the UK is getting from the EU today.
He points to access to EU funds for defence development and cutting red tape on carbon emission taxes.
He says the same goes for the possibility of the UK regaining access to the EU’s electricity market.
“E-gates [will] for many people be the first discernible difference,” he says, smiling.
He then takes a swipe at other unnamed leaders.
“Other governments have talked and talked and talked with great rhetoric about what they are going to achieve, and achieved little or nothing,” Starmer says.
“We rolled up our sleeves ... and we are delivering a very good deal for our country today.”
Von der Leyen adds that the deal reflects “shared interests”, especially in lowering energy prices and achieving independence in sourcing energy supplies.
Starmer challenged on if he's 'sold out' UK fishermen to reach new deal
Next, some questions from the media.
First up, BBC political editor Chris Mason challenges Starmer on if he has "sold out" UK fishermen to reach this new deal with the European Union.
Starmer replies that "the driving principles" of what has been agreed to are about "bills, jobs and borders".
The prime minister goes on to talk about the benefits of the SPS agreement, saying it is "incredibly important for fish".
"Fishing communities are able to sell more easily into the European market," Starmer says, adding that this deal "is good for fishermen".
- For context, SPS stands for sanitary and phytosanitary, which refers to rules about animals and food
'It's a long list, but it shows how much we have achieved'
Starmer says British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates when travelling around the EU.
He says this will put an end to the "huge queues" at passport control.
Starmer has called on all EU members to co-operate without delay.
Looking at the deals agreed today, he says, "it's a long list, but it shows how much we have achieved".
He adds the UK is ready to work with all its partners to improve life for everyone at home.
Starmer says deals are 'supporting British businesses'
"We can sell British burgers in the EU," Starmer says as he explains why the deal is good for the United Kingdom.
The prime minister says the deal is good for British steel and that the UK will work with and benefit from the EU's defence fund.
He insists the deals are "supporting British businesses, backing British jobs".
"We have acted today to strengthen our borders," Starmer continues.
No comments:
Post a Comment