London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Number 10 says the new UK-EU deal will cut food prices, boost the economy by £9bn, extend fishing access, and start talks on youth visas and emissions trading.
As reported by The Guardian, Number 10 claims a last-minute UK-EU agrifood deal will cut food prices and inject £9bn into the UK by removing border checks.
Under the deal, EU fishers gain 12 more years of access to UK waters. It also removes border checks on a large volume of food products. The agreement strengthens defence ties and introduces joint measures on carbon taxes.
Officials said the deal would reduce food costs, cut red tape, and enhance access to the EU market. However, in exchange, Britain granted fishing rights for more than 12 years, longer than initially proposed, prompting concerns of betrayal within the fishing industry.
Keir Starmer’s views on the new deal with the EU
At Lancaster House, Sir Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen shook hands on the reset deal after negotiators completed the final three texts.
Mr Starmer said,
“It’s time to look forward. 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. We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home.”
He added,
“So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation. Building the relationships we choose, with the partners we choose, and closing deals in the national interest. Because that is what independent, sovereign nations do.”
What is the new agrifoods SPS agreement in the UK-EU deal?
The central element of the deal is the SPS agrifoods agreement. It cuts red tape on food and drink exports by removing some standard inspections on animal and plant products. As part of the deal, the UK will maintain some dynamic alignment with EU food standards and allow the European Court of Justice to monitor the agreement.
Officials say the SPS agreement will benefit British shoppers by reducing food costs and expanding choices on supermarket shelves.
For the first time since Brexit, products like burgers and sausages will be allowed for sale in the EU. This comes in response to a 21% reduction in exports and a 7% decline in imports since the UK left the bloc.
What did Nick Thomas-Symonds say about the new UK-EU deal?
The UK’s chief negotiator, Nick Thomas-Symonds, the cabinet office minister, stated,
“Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK.”
He said,
“Since the start of these negotiations, we have worked for a deal to make the British people safer, more secure and more prosperous. Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders.”
Mr Thomas-Symonds added,
“Today is a day of delivery. Britain is back on the world stage with a government in the service of working people.”
What did the UK government official say about fishing rights in the new deal?
The UK government official described the fishing deal as a safeguard for the industry’s rights and long-term stability, aiming to protect these rights instead of continuing the cycle of yearly renegotiations that would unlikely see EU boats leave UK waters.
The government announced it will invest £360 million in modernisation support for coastal areas, signalling a quiet acknowledgement of the compromise.
UK-EU Deal Reset
- Fishing rights extended for 12 years for EU boats in UK waters.
- £360m funding for coastal community modernization.
- No deal yet on the youth mobility scheme; talks are ongoing.
- The UK aims to rejoin the Erasmus program.
- New UK-EU security and defence cooperation framework.
- Easier food trade with reduced checks and lifted meat export ban.
- Protection for UK steel exports from EU tariffs.
- Linked emissions trading to avoid UK carbon tax penalties.
- Continued smooth passport eGate access for UK travellers.