The UK and the EU have agreed a new trade deal – five years after Brexit kicked in.
Following six months of talks after Sir Keir Starmer promised a fresh deal when he became prime minister last July, the two sides have come to an agreement.
Here are the details:
eGates
British passport holders will be able to use more eGates in Europe to avoid the long border control queues that have become the norm since Brexit. They have not specified which countries.
Pet travel
Pet passports will be brought back so cats and dogs coming from the UK will no longer need pricey animal health certificates for every trip. After Brexit, pet owners had to get a certificate from a vet in the UK then a vet in the EU before returning.
Pets will now be allowed to travel on a pet passport instead of having to have a health certificate every time they travel. Pic: iStock
Red tape on food and drink sales
A new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal has been agreed to reduce red tape currently needed to import and export food and drink between the UK and the EU.
There is no time limit to this part of the deal, which the government says will reduce the burden on businesses and reduce lorry queues at the border.
Some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely – including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The government says this could lower food prices and increase choice on supermarket shelves.
Some British foods that have been prevented from being sold in the EU since Brexit will be allowed back in again, including burgers and sausages.
Fishing rights
The current fishing deal agreed in 2020 will continue for 12 years.
There will be no increase in fish quotas.
British fishing rights will continue for 12 years. Pic: PA
EU fishing vessels can fish in UK waters, but they require a valid licence, and there are annual negotiations on access and share of stock.
The UK government has announced a £360m investment into the fishing industry to go towards new technology and equipment to modernise the fleet, train the workforce, help revitalise coastal communities, support tourism and boost seafood exports.
Defence
A new security and defence partnership has been agreed so the UK defence industry can participate in the EU’s plan for a £150bn defence fund called Security Action for Europe (SAFE). This will support thousands of British jobs.
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Carbon tax
The deal will see closer co-operation on emissions by the UK and the EU, linking their own emissions trading systems.
The UK’s scheme sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed from the power generation sector, energy-intensive industries and aviation, with companies issued allowances that they can trade with each other.
Under the deal, UK businesses will avoid being hit by the EU’s carbon tax, due to come in next year, which would have handed £800m to the EU.
Steel
British steel exports will be protected from new EU rules and tariffs to save UK steel £25m a year.
Further talks:
Youth mobility scheme
The UK and the EU have agreed to more negotiations on a youth mobility scheme to allow people aged 18-30 in the UK and the EU to move freely between countries for a limited period.
Catching criminals
The two sides have agreed to enter talks about the UK having access to EU facial images data to help catch dangerous criminals.
Migration
The two sides have agreed to further work on finding solutions to tackle illegal migration, including on returns and a joint commitment to tackle Channel crossings.
