UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – British PM Sir Keir Starmer’s fishing rights agreement with the EU may affect UK influence in energy talks, Lords report warns.
As reported by The Telegraph, Peers warn that Sir Keir Starmer’s 12-year EU fishing deal could weaken UK leverage in future talks.
What did the House of Lords report say about Keir Starmer’s EU fishing and energy deal?
The House of Lords’ European Affairs Committee warned that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s reset deal with Brussels could give the EU the upper hand in energy talks.
The Labour government’s May deal allows EU fishermen access to British waters until 2038.
Under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the UK’s electricity market access with the EU will be reviewed and negotiated annually.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement, negotiated by Mr Johnson and Lord Frost, aimed to use fishing and energy deals for mutual leverage.
After the deal, France repeatedly warned it could block Britain from the EU electricity and energy markets over post-Brexit fishing rights.
The EU linked fishing rights to electricity market access, setting matching expiry dates, yet the UK granted 12 years to EU fishermen while leaving energy terms short.”
The Lords’ report said,
“The new arrangements provide a degree of political comfort that the TCA energy title will continue to apply beyond 2027, notwithstanding the uncertainty created by the need for formal annual renewal.”
Its authors stated,
“We ask the Government to set out the rationale behind these arrangements and to set out its degree of confidence that the energy provisions will not be used as leverage by the EU in future.”
Lord Ricketts, the committee’s head, said,
“As always, with these EU deals, there were some areas where the UK benefited a lot, and other areas where the EU will feel that they had secured a better deal.”
He stated,
“It won’t be at the top of the Government’s mind but there will be regular, probably very heavy flow, of amendments and updates to regulations if the UK is going to stay aligned with the EU as they evolve in this area.”
Lord Ricketts added,
“So that’s a whole area where Parliament is going to have together with the Government to scrutinise in the future.”
The committee’s findings challenged the Prime Minister’s claim that his reset deal would add £9bn to the British economy.
Its report added,
“There was consensus among our witnesses that the overall economic impact of the Government’s reset objectives, if all were achieved, would be marginal, albeit positive.”
The report highlighted concerns over future parliamentary oversight of Britain’s alignment with EU food safety and energy regulations.
The committee revealed that the Prime Minister’s reset deal produced both gains and losses on each side.
The Lords committee heard from fishermen that UK vessels could lose out as EU boats are granted 12-year access to British waters.
Tavish Scott from Salmon Scotland argued that aligning UK regulations with EU plant and animal health rules would benefit the sector through smoother exports.
What did Keir Starmer say about the EU deal and Britain’s future?
Referring to the EU reset deal, Keir 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.”
The prime minister added,
“We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home. 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 did Nick Thomas-Symonds say about the UK-EU strategic partnership?
Minister for European Union Relations and lead Government negotiator, Nick Thomas-Symonds, stated,
“The deal marks the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK.”
He added,
“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. Today is a day of delivery. Britain is back on the world stage with a Government in the service of working people.”
What does the UK-EU reset deal include?
The UK-EU reset deal includes fewer checks on UK food and drink exports to the EU. It allows EU boats to fish in British waters until 2038, benefiting the seafood sector.
The agreement brings back Erasmus-style student and work exchanges, supports shellfish exports to the EU, and restores Britain’s access to EU criminal and policing databases.
