Britain’s Labour government has declared a “new chapter” in its relationship with the European Union (EU) after it reached a wide-ranging agreement with the bloc over trade, defence, travel, agriculture.
The deal was formalised on Monday morning at a UK-EU summit at Lancaster House in London, where the delegations were led by Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.
In a big concession from the UK side, Britain has signed up to a 12-year deal to allow EU and Irish boats to fish in UK waters; fishing access under a previous Brexit-era deal had been due to run out next year. Ireland and, in particular, France had been among the EU nations pushing hardest for a fisheries deal.
Among the concessions the UK has secured is a deal to ease exports of British food and agricultural products to the bloc. The British defence industry has also been granted access to the EU’s €150 billion military rearmament fund, devised by the bloc to help counter the threat from Russia. Britain will, however, have to make a financial contribution to pay for access.
From berets to top hats, the Tallaght man who stays motivated by his passion for preserving an ancient craft
Apple’s India pivot ignites Trump tension
Auto enrolment: employers can’t afford to wait any longer for start of pension scheme
Why has the German economy gone from Europe’s engine to its anchor?
A wider security and defence pact is at the centre of the EU-UK deal agreed at Lancaster House; the UK and EU delegations were due to have lunch on Monday on a warship moored in the River Thames, part of the UK’s efforts to draw attention to the security aspects of the deal.
“It’s time to look forward [and] to move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people,” said Mr Starmer, who faced criticism from the Tories and Brexiteers that he was “surrendering” to Brussels.
[ UK needs new EU trade deal, not scraps from the White HouseOpens in new window ]
The deal also includes a series of measures designed to sweeten the deal for a Brexit-weary UK public and insulate the UK Labour government from some of its domestic political critics.
“British holidaymakers will be able to use more [passport] eGates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control,” said the British government, emphasising a measure that it believes will be popular with the British public. The two sides have also the introduction of “pet passports” for UK cats and dogs, will end the need for animal health certificates for every trip by UK travellers.
‘I’ve entrepreneurial spirit in my veins’ – Apprentice star Jordan Dargan
The EU side had sought the conclusion of a youth mobility scheme to allow European young people up to the age of the 30 the right to work and study in the UK, and vice versa. Mr Starmer’s government had been wary of this, as it would boost immigration and open him up to accusations that he was giving ground on EU free movement.
The final details of a youth mobility deal appear to be still under discussion. But the UK government made clear an agreement was on the way as both sides had “agreed to co-operate further on a youth experience scheme – which could see young people able to work and travel freely”.
It said the deal would be time-limited and the numbers capped. The EU and UK also agreed to work together to tackle illegal migration, a key British demand.
“We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here [in the UK],” said Mr Starmer. “So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again.”
The deal showed the UK and the EU had “entered a new chapter” in their post-Brexit relationship, one EU official said.
“The negotiation process in the run-up to this summit went until the last minute. But negotiations took place always in good faith on both sides, and the result is very positive for both,” the official said.
