Brexit News

Paris has warned that French fishermen will block all cross-Channel ports if the British government does not agree a fishing trade deal with the EU. Boris Johnson’s government has been threatened to prepare for a “very nasty battle,” that Europe will be “paralysed” unless French fishermen are happy with a post Brexit free trade agreement. British government officials have told minsters that there is a “very realistic chance” major ports, […]

So this is it. After three messy years negotiating the UK's exit from the EU, Monday is the day that trade talks finally begin between the two sides. David Frost, the UK's chief negotiator, arrives in Brussels in the afternoon, armed with 100 advisers and civil servants, preparing to spread themselves across 10 working groups, focusing on everything from fishing to financial services to truck drivers' cross-border access. Negotiations are […]

British Expats who have been living overseas for more than 15 years are finally to get the right to vote in UK General Elections. The promise was given by Prime Minister Johnson in a letter that he sent to campaigner Harry Schindler who has been campaigning for the right to vote for over 20 years. Boris told Mr Schindler: “Now we have left the EU, it is more important than […]

EU ministers have warned the UK that the chance of reaching a trade deal will be damaged unless preparations begin for checks on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. The EU has approved a blueprint for post-Brexit trade talks but Ireland's foreign minister said a successful outcome would depend on the UK honouring its existing commitments. "If that doesn't happen... it will damage significantly the prospects of being […]

Farming leaders have said it would be "insane" to sign a trade deal that allows the import of food that would be illegal to produce in the UK, such as chlorinated chicken. The National Farmers Union (NFU) president, Minette Batters, said allowing these imports would be "morally bankrupt". The NFU called for rules on minimum standards for imports to be made law. Downing Street said food standards would be protected […]

Ministers from the EU have approved their mandate for post-Brexit trade talks with the UK. The document - approved by the EU General Affairs Council on Tuesday - will be the basis for the negotiations, to be carried out by Michel Barnier. It says that EU standards should serve as "a reference point" in any future trade deal. Meanwhile, UK ministers have agreed the government's mandate for the negotiations, which begin […]

Trade negotiations tend not to begin with two sides in agreement - otherwise there would be nothing to negotiate. So it's not surprising to see the UK and EU set out rather different positions before talks begin in earnest. There are some broad similarities. The two sides agree they want a free-trade agreement, with no tariffs (border taxes on goods) or quotas (limits on the amount of goods). They are […]

The first blue British passports for nearly 30 years will be issued next month, the Home Office has said. The current burgundy design is being replaced, following the UK's departure from the European Union. Blue passports were introduced in 1921 and phased out after 1988 when members of the then European Economic Community agreed to harmonise designs. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the passport will "once again be entwined with […]

A study suggests it would be fiscally responsible for the chancellor to raise more in taxes to help offset big spending increases. The new chancellor will have to raise taxes if the government's plan to "level up" the country is to be financially responsible, according to a study. The report, by the Resolution Foundation think tank, found Rishi Sunak's budget on 11 March had the potential to take the government's total managed […]