Tag Archives: Brexit

British officials expect a lot of “noise” between the two sides before Brussels eventually drops its hardline negotiating position. Talks between the UK and European Commission continued last week but ended with the bloc accusing Britain of refusing to engage on its plans for a regulatory level playing field and upholding existing fisheries access. But…

The UK is still optimistic about striking a trade deal with the EU but warned that talks could collapse in June unless Brussels abandons its demands for a common fisheries policy and a level playing field, a source close to the UKs negotiating team said. The…

BRITISH negotiators have doubled down on their warning to Brussels that they won't bend and accept its demands for continued fisheries access to the country's waters.PUBLISHED: 14:09, Thu, Apr 30, 2020 | UPDATED: 17:15, Thu, Apr 30, 2020 They also reiterated that officials would continue to reject any attempts by their European Union counterparts to…

Brexit threatens the UK’s ability to respond to the novel coronavirus and future pandemics The coronavirus pandemic could not have come at a worse time for the UK and its citizens. Just as UK government ministers are digging in for the really difficult part of Brexit, the negotiations on future relationships with the EU and…

Image copyright PA Media Government departments spent more than £4bn on preparations for leaving the EU, says the public spending watchdog. The National Audit Office said this figure included spending on staff, external advice and advertising. A Treasury spokesperson said the government had made "all necessary funds available" to ensure the country was prepared for…

Good morning. Today the UK starts trade talks with the EU, and the negotiations will take place with Boris Johnson’s government saying it is willing to abandon the process, and revert to planning for a WTO “no deal” Brexit, if it is not making enough progress by June. The government will be negotiating a trade…

Image copyright @trussliz/Twitter Image caption International Trade Secretary Liz Truss welcomed US trade representative Robert Lighthizer to London last week Boris Johnson has promised to "drive a hard bargain" as he set out the UK's negotiating position for a post-Brexit free trade deal with the US.The government said a deal would boost the UK economy…

Michael Gove unveiled the Government’s Brexit masterplan in the Commons yesterday, where he stressed the importance of the future of the UK as a free and independent nation. He also revealed that if negotiations with Brussels had failed to progress by June, the Government would end the talks and spend the next six months preparing…

6.08am EST06:08 Here is the Green MP Caroline Lucas on Michael Gove’s statement. Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) The Govt is doing everything to avoid an EU trade deal @MichaelGove’s silver tongue can’t hide fact that Brexit zealots are firmly in control We are heading for a No Deal Brexit with catastrophic results for business, rights &…

Here is the full text (pdf) of the negotiating mandate agreed by the EU for the trade talks with the UK. It has been toughened up a bit since a draft version (pdf) was published earlier this month. The UK has not published its own negotiating mandate yet – it is due out on Thursday…