Politics latest: Minister claims UK-EU deal could add £90bn to British economy - but PM faces backlash over fishing

Sky News

19-05-2025

The deal is done - but what's in it?
Sir Keir Starmer has finally come to a post-Brexit deal with the European Union after lengthy negotiations - and a fair few difficult sticking points.
The reset deal was finalised at around 7am after a long night of negotiations, with European leaders now joining Starmer at Lancaster House.
What's been confirmed by Downing Street today
UK holidaymakers will be able to use more eGates in Europe;
Pets will also be able to travel more easily, with the return of "pet passports" for British cats and dogs;
A new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement will make it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported - and likely cause a fall in prices. Downing Street said some routine checks on animal and plant products will be "removed completely";
The UK will also be able to sell various products, such as burgers and sausages, back into the EU again;
There will be "closer co-operation on emissions" through linking our respective Emissions Trading Systems, No 10 said. This will "improve the UK's energy security and avoid businesses being hit by the EU's carbon tax due to come in next year";
British steel exports will be protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, through a bespoke arrangement for the UK that will save UK steel £25m per year;
The UK will "enter talks" about access to EU "facial images data" for the first time. Downing Street says this will "enhance" the UK's ability to "catch dangerous criminals".
This is additional to what we knew this morning:
The EU wanted permanent access to UK waters for fishing, but they have agreed to access for 12 years;
There will be no change to the current access for UK fishing communities, with no reduction in British quotas or increase in the amount the EU is allowed to catch;
Talks are continuing 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 of time;
Agreement of a Security and Defence Partnership, which will pave the way for the UK defence industry to participate in the EU's proposed new £150bn defence fund.
The prime minister said it is now "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."